Programme Structure for MA Public Archaeology

The MA Public Archaeology provides students with an understanding of the different means of communicating archaeology to the public from a global perspective.

Degree co-ordinator: Gabriel Moshenska 

The MA Public Archaeology at UCL is a unique programme in a rapidly growing sector. It provides students with an understanding of the different means of communicating archaeology to the public, and of the real-world political, educational, social, economic and moral/ethical dimensions of public archaeology from a global perspective.

Students are introduced to the range of areas in which archaeology has relevance to the wider world, and develop an understanding of how archaeology is communicated, used (and misused) in the public arena. The flexible programme structure allows students to design a theoretically based or practically based degree depending on each individual's interests and needs.

Degree Handbook

• The degree handbook is available to download here»

Modules

This degree programme comprises a core module, several option modules and a dissertation, each of which is described in greater detail below. Teaching for this degree is primarily by lectures, seminars and practical demonstrations.

Core Modules

Students all take the following core module:

• Public Archaeology (ARCL0091, 30 credits, 22 weeks)

Option Modules

You are then able to choose further option modules to the value of 60 credits. At least one of these must be made up from the list below of option modules recommended for this degree programme. The other 30 credits may also come from this list or can be chosen from amongst an outstanding range of other Masters modules offered at the UCL Institute of Archaeology (subject to availability and resources). Please note that some core modules are normally only available to those enrolled for the degree in question. If you wish to take a core module from another degree as an option certain restrictions may apply. Please consult your course co-ordinator before making your options choice. Full descriptions of the options may be found by following the links below.

• Presenting the Past to the Public (15 credits, 11 weeks)  -  Although this is not a compulsory core module, it is likely that most Public Archaeology students will wish to take this module

• Archaeologies of Modern Conflict (ARCLG217, 15 credits, 11 weeks)
• Digital Heritage: Applications in Heritage Management (ARCL0148, 15 credits, 11 weeks)
• Exploratory Data Analysis in Archaeology (ARCL0087, 15 credits, 11 weeks)  
• Managing Archaeological Sites (ARCL0108, 30 credits, 22 weeks)
• Presenting the Past to the Public (15 credits, 11 weeks)  
• Themes, Thought and Theory in World Archaeology: Foundations (ARCL0133, 15 credits, 11 weeks)
• Themes, Thought and Theory in World Archaeology: Current Topics (ARCL0134, 15 credits, 11 weeks)

Please note not all modules are available every year.

Dissertation

(90 credits) - Students are also asked to write a dissertation (15,000 words) on any approved topic relevant to the degree and the taught components. It is produced as a result of an individual research project undertaken during the course. Students are assigned a supervisor to guide the main stages of the work.

Examples of past dissertation projects include:

• public archaeology in a transition country such as the Republic of Moldova
• how the past is used to create history in post-colonial nation such as Belize
• archaeology, identity and consumerism at Tintagel, Cornwall
• the generation and consumption of WWII heritage in twenty-first century Britain
• evaluation and monitoring practices in UK Heritage Funding