Who is this course for ?
No previous experience in the subject is necessary and the course is open to anyone with an interest in the subject area.
What will I be studying ?
The Certificate is divided into three termly units taught via 4 day schools per unit at the Institute of Continuing Education and the Fitzwilliam museum. Students are expected to attend all of the day schools throughout the year, the dates of which are given below. Additional field trips are also included, the dates of which are given below.
Unit 1: Civilisation: the archaeology of complex society
This unit investigates the development of social complexity from pyramids and factories to princes and peasants. It will look at research on the development of the state, of urbanisation and of the world's progressive integration as illustrated by discoveries in ancient Iraq and Mexico and in Britain.
Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education on the following 4 dates: 5th October, 19th October, 9th November and 7th December 2019. Field trip on 26th October 2019.
Unit 2: Introduction to Egyptology
This unit provides a term-long case study in Egyptology, linking archaeological, documentary, environmental and anthropological evidence. It combines a survey of the long history of Egyptian civilisation with sessions on aspects of Egyptian society, including language and literacy, religion, economy, art and architecture and the funerary sphere.
Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education on the following 4 dates: 18th January, 1st February, 29th February and 21st March 2020. Museum visit on 15 February 2020.
Unit 3: The Classical World
This unit examines the development of two ancient Mediterranean cultures, the Greek and the Roman. We will focus on their interaction and the influence they had on each other's development and the emergence of Western civilization. Themes covered include art and society; landscape; urbanism; and city-states; trade; religion; daily life and burial customs. The unit additionally provides a hands- on approach to ancient Greek and Roman material culture, through a series of handling seminars as well as the opportunity for students to co-curate a display of their choice at the Fitzwilliam Museum, based on the knowledge they have acquired during the day-schools.
Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education and the Fitzwilliam museum on the following 4 dates: 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May and 23rd May 2020 (Fitzwilliam museum).
What can I go on to do ?
The Institute offers two 60 credit complementary one year Certificate courses in Archaeology which are taught and awarded at first year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4). The Certificates are currently taught in alternating years and can be studied independently of each other, and in any order.
Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of Ancient Britain (previously called Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology I)
This Certificate course which is planned for 2020-21 will give you a solid introduction to the practice, methods, theories and key sources used by archaeologists.
Students who have successfully completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of the Ancient World (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) and the Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of Ancient Britain (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Archaeology (120 credits at FHEQ level 4).
Undergraduate Diplomas in Archaeology
The Institute also offers part-time Diploma level courses in Archaeology (FHEQ level 5) .For further information about the various courses we offer please visit the Archaeology subject page of our website.
Credit awarded by the Institute can also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Do I choose Certificate or Diploma level ?
The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your studies. The Certificate level courses are ideal for those who are new to Archaeology and/or University level study. If you are still unsure which academic level to study please contact the Academic Director for Archaeology, Dr Gilly Carr (gcc20@cam.ac.uk)
Additional information
Should you need to book accommodation in order to attend the day schools this may be possible at Madingley Hall depending on availability. Please visit the Madingley Hall website or telephone +44(0) 1223 726222. When making a reservation please state that you are a student on an Institute undergraduate award bearing course and the name of the course you are booked onto. The student B&B rate is £60/night.
This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 6th 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).
