Course unit details:
Academic Skills and Research Design in Egyptian Archaeology, Part 2
Unit code | CAHE66122 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This 15-credit module is a compulsory part of the part-time online Master’s in Egyptology and will be taught during the second semester of the first year. The module aims to equip the students with the basic skills required to succeed in the field of academic Egyptology. The first part of the module focuses on skills required to research and write their dissertation (how to choose and define a topic, how to gather and manage bibliographic material, how to avoid plagiarism and collusion, databases and data management) as well as general skills required in broader academia (how to communicate effectively in writing, effective public speaking, the role of public engagement)
The second part of the module deals specifically with career opportunities and trajectories and the skills required to succeed in academia (how to build a CV, funding applications, PhD research, museum careers, careers in academia). The aim of this portion of the module is to provide the students with the opportunity to consider their career goals and assist them in targeting their research and extra-curricular activities efficiently to help them achieve these goals.
Aims
The unit aims to:
1. provide the students with an opportunity to finalise their dissertation topic and engage with the specific issues their topic presents.
2. provide the students with the necessary tools to engage with scholarly literature (journals and books) and give them an overview of tools for assembling and managing bibliographies.
3. introduce the students to the basic skills required for effective public speaking and dissemination of research to a specialist and non-specialist audience.
4. present the students with real-life examples of career trajectories and developments of professional Egyptologists.
5. guide and assist the students in defining their career development aims and objectives.
Learning outcomes
Syllabus
Teaching and learning methods
One weekly lecture recorded by members of staff.
A weekly seminar topic provided on the Blackboard™ discussion boards. These seminar topics are designed to stimulate debate between the students. A member of staff will monitor and guide the discussion.
Knowledge and understanding
demonstrate knowledge of research methodologies, academic writing and dissemination of research.
demonstrate understanding of the tools available to aid in the management of research, data and bibliographies.
Intellectual skills
identify research questions and develop a methodology for addressing them.
formulate career targets and methodologies/strategies for moving towards achieving them.
Practical skills
demonstrate knowledge of bibliographic database management systems such as EndNote.
demonstrate knowledge of data management programs such as FileMaker and Excel.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
independently identify areas of research interest.
independently evaluate information in a variety of formats.
communicate complex ideas effectively to non-specialist audiences.
Assessment methods
Discussion Boards 0%
Dissertation Proposal 65%
Book Review 35%
Feedback methods
Discussion Boards - ongoing feedback
Dissertation proposal - written feedback within 15 days
Recommended reading
Johnson, A. P. 2016. Academic Writing: Process and Product. Rowman & Littlefield: Maryland.
Meyers, A. 2014. Langman Academic Writing Series: Level 5 Essays to Research Papers [C1]. NY Pearson Education: White Plains.
Day, T. 2013. Successful Academic Writing. Palgrave Macmillan: New York.
Deane, M. 2010. Inside Track: Academic Research, Writing and Referencing. Longman: Harlow.
Wisker, G. 2008. The Postgraduate Research Handbook: Succeed with your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Blair, L. 2016. Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation. Sense Publishers: Rotterdam.
Semenza, G. M. C. 2010 (2nd ed.) Graduate Study for the Twenty-First Century: How to Build an Academic Career in the Humanities. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Dunleavy, P. 2003. Authoring a PhD: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Pugh, D. S. and E. M. Philips. 2010 (5th ed.) How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and their Supervisors. Open University Press: Berkshire.
Vincent, M. L., V. M. L. Bendicho, M. Ioannides and T. E. Levy. 2017. Heritage and Archaeology in the Digital Age: Acquisition, Curation and Dissemination of Spatial Cultural Heritage Data. Spring: Cham.
Study hours
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 150 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Nicky Nielsen | Unit coordinator |
Joyce Tyldesley | Unit coordinator |