Archaeological theory and method in academic writing

The course is offered as an elective course within the programme H2MAS, Master in Archaeological Sciences.

Admission to the course requires a Bachelor's degree (180 credits), or equivalent, with one of the subjects Archaeology, Ancient Culture and Society as main subject (90hp), alternatively a Fil. Kand. degree (120p) with one of the subjects Archaeology or Ancient Culture and Society as the main subject (60 credits), (according to the syllabus valid until 2007-06-30).

The course covers in depth the competences, attitudes and requirements in scientific activities that are the starting point for understanding how a academic text should be written. The different stages of the writing process are also covered. The emphasis
will primarily be on the sections of an academic text that concern theory and method and the relationship between theoretical and methodological considerations, and on how to place a scientific problem in a wider research context.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding in the field of archaeological research with emphasis on the theoretical and methodological aspects

demonstrate a critical and in-depth understanding and insight into the conditions and characteristics of academic writing, with an emphasis on archaeological theory and method

Competence and skills
integrate archaeological knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex archaeological phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information

independently identify and formulate questions in writing within the theoretical and/or methodological field of archaeology, and to plan and use adequate written forms to carry out this task within given time frames

Judgment and approach
demonstrate the ability to make judgements taking into account relevant scientific, societal, and ethical aspects, with particular regard to archaeology and its textual forms of presentation

demonstrate their ability to recognise their need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for their knowledge development

The teaching methods consist of lectures and seminars focussing on problems and opportunities related to the above themes. The practical elements consist of writing assignments where the student applies different academic forms of presentation and produces a draft that includes the relationship between theoretical and methodological considerations in an intended or fictitious master's thesis. This draft is presented at a final seminar where it is also included to review, comment, and discuss other students' drafts regarding scientific formality and the relationship between theoretical and methodological considerations.

Language of instruction: Swedish and/or English

The course is examined through an individual text that is discussed in a seminar. If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The course has a 6-point grading scale:
A Excellent, B Very Good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, F Fail

At the end of the course, students are given the opportunity to complete a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.