About Archaeology - Arts, BA (Hons) - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

Archaeology is an exciting subject that studies past human societies through the material remains they left behind, investigating important developments in the human story over a long period of time.

The greater part of the human story is beyond the range of traditional historical methods and can only be studied through the archaeological record.

Today, archaeologists regularly collaborate with scientists working in such disciplines as botany and physics, analysingenvironmental remains and dating ancient objects.

The excitement of discovery in Archaeological excavation is only one aspect of a discipline that combines an interest in the humanities with scientific method.

Course Details

You can take Archaeology as one of four subjects in the First Arts course. You will beprovided with ageneral introduction to the discipline of Archaeology in Year 1 so you will not need to have any particular background in this subject. You will also be introduced tothe Archaeology of Ireland, spanning 10 millennia from the earliest human settlement of the island to the early modern era. Years 3 and 4 provide foundation and advanced training in Irish and European Archaeology, as well as a range of skills-orientated courses that are necessary for career development.

Overall, the BA degree in Archaeology seeks to balance archaeological theory and culture history courses with those dealing with fieldwork and scientific approaches in the past. Year 1 Modules:

AR1001The Archaeology of Ireland in Context (15 credits)

Year 2 Modules:

Core

The Development of Archaeological Thought; Introduction to Archaeological Fieldwork

Electives

Chalcolithic and Bronze Age Europe; The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland; Archaeology of the Viking Age; Scandinavia & North Atlantic; The Development of Archaeological Thought; The Archaeology of Later Medieval Ireland; The Iron Age in Western and Central Europe; Artefact Studies; Introduction to Environmental Archaeology; Human Remains for Archaeologists; Introduction to Archaeological Fieldwork; Heritage Management and Archaeology

Year 3*/4 Modules:

Core

Research Dissertation; Professional Practice in Archaeology; Landscape Archaeology; Beyond the Celtic Iron Age: Ireland in the First Millenium BC; Viking Age Archaeology in Ireland and Britain; The Archaeology of Agriculture in Medieval Ireland; Late Iron Age Ireland and the Roman World; Archaeological Ceramics; The Industrial Archaeology of Ireland; Wetland Archaeology and Palaeoenvironments; Health, Diet and Disease in Early Societies; Professional Practice in Archaeology; Archaeo-palynology.

*BA International students spend third year studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in Year 4.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the Programme and the Book of Modulesfora more detailed description of Programme Modules.

Fact File

Course Code: CK101 , CK108

Course Title: Arts

Subject Title: Archaeology

College: Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

Duration: 3 or 4 years

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

NFQ Level: Level 8

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.

2017 Entry Requirements: Refer to CK101 and CK108

Entry Points: CK101: 350 in 2015. Points may vary year to year.

Course Practicalities

Field trips:As well as lectures and seminars, there is a strong fieldwork element in the Archaeology course. Many of the course modules have field excursions where students will be introduced to the rich archaeological heritage of Ireland. Students will be encouraged to participate on excavations and will receive field survey training.

There are also opportunities to work on archaeological projects during the summer with commercial companies and other bodies.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many use other types of assessment. You can find out more about how you will be assessed in Archaeologyin the assessmentsection of the Archaeology modules page.

Application Procedure

Refer to CK101and CK108. Students choose subjects when registering for first year.

Further Contact Information

Dr Ben Geary

T: +353 (0)21 4904245

E: mailto:b.geary@ucc.ie

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

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View all courses at University College Cork (UCC)

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Related information

Studying in Ireland