MA in Historical Archaeology of the Modern World
The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol offers a range of taught Masters degrees, including this MA (Masters) in Historical Archaeology of the Modern World. This leading and internationally recognised programme combines a theoretical and interdisciplinary introduction to historical and contemporary archaeology around the world with practical training in the archaeology of historic landscapes, material culture and standing buildings.
The course may be taken as full-time study (one year) or part-time (two years). Applications from overseas students and mature students are particularly welcomed. You will usually need a first degree in archaeology, anthropology or history to apply for this course, although there are some exceptions to this rule. Applications for Autumn 2010 entry are currently invited.
Background
This programme offers an intensive and interdisciplinary 1-year introduction to historical and contemporary archaeology - the archaeologies of the most recent past. It includes introductions to European and North American traditions of historical archaeology, as well as historical and contemporary archaeologies elsewhere in the world. It is an ideal programme for students with a first degree in other subjects to gain training in Archaeology, or for those trained in archaeology to gain training in both the historical period and teh more recent 20th and 21st centuries.
This course provides students with a sound and broad (academic and practical) knowledge of the material culture of the modern world and of current theoretical and professional issues in historical and contemporary archaeology. The course provides a sound basis for a career in professional archaeology, museums or heritage management/CRM, or for further academic research.
Structure
The historical archaeology programme comprises five taught units and a dissertation to a total value of 180 credit points. Historical and contemporary context will be provided by an introductory unit, Materialities, plus Historical Archaeology which will focus upon the archaeology of AD 1500-2000, with a strong international perspective.
Three further taught units will comprise Material Culture, Standing Buildings and Archaeology of the First and Second World Wars . The course will enable students to acquire archaeological research skills, and to consider the material remains of the modern period in global context.
Students will acquire a detailed knowledge of the practical and theoretical approaches to historical and contemporary archaeology, and to the skills of building recording. Techniques of archaeological investigation and recording will be taught by participation in a departmental excavation. Students will research and write a thesis on a topic of their choice.
The students will be able to understand archaeological evidence, discoveries and interpretations, as well as being able to undertake research on their own using primary sources (documentary, archaeological and anthropological). We expect students to acquire a good knowledge of the archaeological and heritage sector internationally, and to acquire expertise, depending on their particular interests, in such areas as protective legislation, funding and employment structures, tourism potential, and contemporary archaeological issues.
The course is taught at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Old Baptist College, 43 Woodland Road. The programme also includes frequent field visits, making use of our dedicated fleet of Departmental Land Rovers (which graduate students may also book out for their own field trips and fieldwork).
To view a selection of student profiles please go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/postgrad/quotesandphotos (this page is in the process of being updated).
To see examples of careers that students have entered after completing one of our MA courses please go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/postgrad/alumni (also in process of being updated).
Course Programme
We have always started the year with a short but exciting residential field trip on Exmoor - visiting archaeological and historic sites and starting some field training. Exmoor is a beautiful and dramatic upland and coastal landscape. It's a great opportunity to get to know students and tutors on the MA in Historical Archaeology, as well as the other MA programmes, in a relaxed setting. Transport and accommodation (YHA) plus meals are covered by the department.
Core Units
- Materialities
- Introduction to Historical Archaeology
- Landscape Archaeology
- Methods and Approaches in 20th Century Conflict Archaeology
- Material Culture
- The Archaeology of Standing Buildings
Dissertation
A dissertation providing substantial academic work on an aspect of historical and contemporary archaeology (15,000 words). You may be interested to get an idea of students' research interests from a selection of recent dissertation topics as follows:
'Reconstructing the Re-presenting the Past: The Contested Heritage of Casemate Barracks, Bermuda'; 'Individuality, Identity and Context reflected in Great War Bone Art from the Isle of Man'; 'An Investigation into the Materiality and Mentality of Communist Bunkers in Albania'; 'The Material Culture and Social Study of the Bristol Lunatic Asylum 1861-1926'; 'Animating the Past, Present and Future at Berkeley Nuclear Power Station'.
Assessment
There will be no formal examinations, but assessments will provide a progressive evaluation of the student's abilities in both archaeological research methods and in media skills. The emphasis will be on individual project work, which may involve written output, but may also include audio-visual submissions or a combination of both. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% overall on coursework and examinations and 50% on the dissertation in order to qualify for the Degree of Master of Arts. Please note that the dissertation must also reach the 50% standard in order to qualify. It is not possible to carry over marks from dissertation to taught courses or vice-versa. Students who do not reach the required standard in the dissertation may nevertheless be able to qualify for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Historical Archaeology if their performance in the taught part of the course is deemed satisfactory by the examiners.
Tutors
Dr Nicholas Saunders (Programme Director) Nicholas.Saunders@bristol.ac.uk
Dr Nicholas J Saunders specialises in the archaeology and anthropology of 20th century conflict, working on the battlefields of the First World War in France, Belgium, and Jordan. He is particularly interested in the material culture and landscapes of modern conflict, and has been involved in many European museum exhibitions on this topic. He is also an expert in the pre-Columbian and Historical archaeology of the Americas, focusing on symbolism and landscape, and has worked in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and the Caribbean. His two current research projects in this area are on the symbolism of light and brilliance in Amerindian material culture, and field research of the Nazca Lines in southern Peru.
Dr Mark Horton FSA
Professor of Archaeology. Specialist in landscape archaeology and fieldwork techniques. Research interests include Medieval, post-Medieval and industrial landscapes, tropical and desert environments. He has worked in historical archaeology since 1979, and has directed excavations in Panama, Honduras, Cayman Islands, St Kitts, St Lucia, Egypt, Kenya, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, as well in the UK. Dr Horton's publications include The Swahili (2001, with John Middleton) and Shanga (1996, British Institute in Eastern Africa).
Dr Saunders has published extensively and appeared many times on television and radio. His most recent books are the best selling Killing Time: Archaeology and the First World War (Sutton, 2007), Alexander’s Tomb (Basic, 2006), Peoples of the Caribbean: An Encyclopedia of Archaeology and Traditional Culture (ABC-Clio, 2005), and Ancient Americas (Sutton, 2004). He is responsible for the M.A. in Historical Archaeology, M.A. in Archaeology and Screen Media, and the new M.A. in 20th-century Conflict Archaeology (October 2009). For further details about Nick's South American research, and his Conflict Archaeology work, go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/staff/saunders/
Scholarships and Bursaries
For further details please refer to http://www.bristol.ac.uk/studentfunding/ and http://www.bris.ac.uk/arts/scholarships.
Applications
Further details and application forms may be obtained from:
The Graduate School of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Arts
University of Bristol
7 Woodland Road
Bristol
BS8 1TB
Tel +44 (0)117 928 8897
Fax +44 (0)117 331 7469
artf-gradschool@bristol.ac.uk
For an informal discussion about this MA, please don't hesitate to contact the Programme Director:
Dr Nick Saunders (Department of Archaeology and Anthropology) Nicholas.Saunders@bristol.ac.uk
(Please note: The Department believes that the information given on this page accurately describes the programme it offers. However, the Department reserves the right to withdraw or amend programmes, fees and facilities or services available from or provided by the University without notice. )