Archaeology Durham University

Overview

Course Learning and Teaching

All of these are supported by a virtual learning environment, Durham University Online (duo). Seminars, tutorials, and practical classes are much smaller groups than lectures, with tutorials often involving no more than eight students working with a professor or lecturer; seminars and practicals can be larger but are still small enough to allow one-to-one interaction with tutors. The Archaeology BA course is offered by Durham University

Practicals allow hands-on experience of the work professional archaeologists do. The same is true of fieldwork, which at Durham is fully funded, and consists of engaging in archaeological work in the field with members of academic staff.

This emphasis on small-group and practical teaching reflects the quality of the learning experience rather than the number of formal sessions. In fact, the degree is designed to feature fewer formal sessions and more independent research as you move from your first to your final year.

Small-group teaching and one-to-one attention from a personal academic advisor (provided for all students when they start) is part of the learning experience throughout, but by the final year classroom time gives way, to independent research, including a dissertation which will be supported by one-on-one supervision and makes up a third of final year credits. In this way, the course systematically transforms you from a consumer of knowledge in the classroom to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life. These formal teaching arrangements are supported by “drop-in” surgeries with teaching staff and induction sessions that begin the week before you start and continue at key times throughout each year of the course.

You can also attend an extensive programme of research-focused seminars where staff and visiting scholars present their cutting edge research.