Overview

How to produce a successful thesis Choosing a topic Scholarly presentation – academic conventions and referencing Producing a critical literature search – the importance of historiography or previous archaeological scholarship Using finding aids to compile lists of secondary and primary sources – locating materials Constructing research plans for substantial and original research pieces Presenting a literature review Effective oral presentation.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold students (50) will compile and discuss a bibliography of primary and secondary sources of relevance and present it reasonably correctly and write a literature search with some critical comment, and they will assemble a research plan which may be limited but which could serve as the foundation of a basically successful dissertation. With the oral presentation threshold students (50) will present information, but this may seem relatively uncoordinated and hesitant and is likely to be short. -good -Merit-level students (62, 65, 68) will compile a bibliography meeting the criteria above, but perhaps also containing some unusual or very recent items, which would suggest effective and imaginative use of finding aids. Their literature search should also show good critical acumen. Their research plan will be adequate as a foundation for a dissertation – but may also include perceptive understandings of the state of the chosen field, imaginative choices of primary material, or full understandings of the possible problems (as well as the strengths) of the chosen methodology. Merit-level students (62, 65, 68) will speak clearly, using the time and materials sensibly to convey a clear case. -excellent -Distinction-level students (74 and above) will produce correct and imaginative bibliographies with an excellent critical literature search demonstrating understanding of a very high standard, and fully effective research plans which suggest a research project of great insight or significance as well as originality. Distinction-level students (74 and above) will produce and explain a cogent piece of work using relevant forms of presentation with clarity and precision. -another level-Better Pass-level students (52-58) will compile a bibliography of primary and secondary sources in the relevant area and present it correctly and write a literature search with adequate critical comment, and they will assemble a research plan likely to serve as the foundation of a solid academic dissertation. Better Pass-level students (55, 58) will show some awareness of audience and on the methods required to engage people, but will still lack fluidity or content.

Learning Outcomes

• Construct a plan for a research project to produce a substantial and original piece of historical or archaeological investigation and analysis.

• Present that material in an appropriate scholarly manner and report to a professional standard in writing and orally.

• Produce a critical literature search relevant to the dissertation with a correctly set out bibliography.

• Use electronic and printed finding aids to compile a list of secondary and primary material in a chosen scholarly area as preparation for critical evaluation and analysis in a dissertation.