BA (Hons) Scottish History and Archaeology
COURSE INFORMATION:
Place of Study: Shetland College UHI, Lerwick and selected Learning Centres.
Mode of Study: Full time or Part time
Length of course:
Full time: 1 year (Cert HE), 2 years (Dip HE), 3 years (BA), 4 years (BA Hons)
Part time: It is possible to study part time or to take stand-alone modules by arrangement, please contact Simon Clarke for more details.
Start Date:
Full time: August 2011
Part time: January 2012
Entry Requirements: Three grade C Highers or two grade C A Levels - one Higher to be English. Applications welcomed from holders of other awards/qualifications similar in level and content, or who have completed an appropriate Access programme. Entry for applicants without qualifications considered for those who demonstrate the ability, interest, and commitment to complete the course and to benefit fully from it.
COURSE SUMMARY:
This course is a joint honours programme with a Scottish and Northern European perspective. At Levels 1 and 2 students will be introduced to the skills they need for the two disciplines and given an overview of Scotland and the wider region. In Level 3 focused studies will take an in-depth examination of particular topics of Scottish history and archaeology, allowing students to study themes and periods in greater detail.
In Level 4, in addition to continuing specialist taught modules, the student will undertake a substantial research project of their own that can be either History or Archaeologically focused or combine the two.
Students will not only learn the skills of historical and archaeological investigation, the degree will also teach students about Scotland and its place within British and wider world history. There is a strong emphasis on social and economic themes as well as the political and cultural identity of Scotland.
COURSE CONTENT:
Each full-time year of study consists of eight study modules, which will each around 150 hours to complete during class time and private study. In addition to core modules students will be offered a range of optional modules from other UHI courses to study.
Level 1 - Cert HE modules: Introduction to Skills for History; Scottish History: 1603 to the 20th Century; Scottish History: 1066 – 1603; Introduction to Historic Landscapes; Introduction to Archaeological Theory and Method; Scottish Archaeology, plus two options.
Level 2 - Dip HE modules: Using skills for History; The Scottish Highlands: 1851 – 2005; Scotland and the North Sea and Baltic; Building Scotland; Digital Heritage; Historical Archaeology, plus two options.
Level 3 – BA modules: History Theory; Historiographical Essay; Archaeological Project; Sustainability Past and Present, plus four options.
Level 4 – BA (Hons) modules: Dissertation double module, plus 6 options.
GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE:
- Access to highly qualified specialist staff from around the Highlands and Islands
- Students become familiar with advanced communication techniques which are themselves valuable transferable skills
- Because the course has a large amount of self directed study there is the flexibility to fit the course around existing work and family commitments
- The course allows you to move between full and part-time study according to your circumstances
- The course allows you to aim high - for an honours degree, but with the option of certificated interim exit points.
HOW WILL I STUDY?
Taught by video-conferencing (VC), virtual learning environment (VLE), CD ROMs, the Internet, email and conventional distance learning packs. The network delivery on this course is by experts from each field based in UHI partner colleges including Shetland College UHI. Full-time students will normally study 4 modules per semester. Each module will be supported by a 90 minute video conference class and online course materials on the Blackboard virtual learning environment. Class and self directed study together should take about 10 hours per week, per module.
STUDENT QUOTE:
"The course has allowed me to study for a degree in Shetland and to continue to support my family with part time work." Larry Deyell.
STAFF QUOTE:
"The course greatly expands what is available at Shetland College UHI and particularly suits students with busy lives. Drawn from all over the Highlands and Islands and from many backgrounds the students themselves are a fantastic asset for videoconference classes – contributing to highly diverse and knowledgeable discussions about natural and cultural heritage of the region and how they should be managed." Dr Simon Clarke, Head of Section.
PROGRESSION:
Academic: From completion of the Honours Degree it is possible to progress to a MA History programme, MA Archaeological Practice, or to a related programme such as MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies
Employment/Career: History graduates traditionally go onto a wide range of careers as their transferable skills in analysis and presentation prepare them for many different workplace challenges. The course would be particularly suited as a foundation for a teaching career or in historical archives. Archaeologists also develop many transferable analytical skills useful well beyond the obvious job opportunities in contract archaeology, and in the public sector in recording and presenting archaeology.
Former students have: This course is new to Shetland College UHI.
