Who is this course for ?
The course is open to all regardless of previous educational experience, although prior study at Certificate level is recommended.
What will I be studying ?
The Diploma is divided into three termly units taught via 4 day schools per unit at the Institute of Continuing Education and at the Department of Archaeology. 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: Osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology
This unit will cover the theoretical and practical aspects of osteoarchaeology. Students will learn how to record human bones and produce an anthropological profile for an osteology report. These sessions are interleaved with lectures and discussions setting the specialism in context: its integration into field and research archaeology and funerary studies and the ethical aspects of working with human remains.
Day schools are on Saturdays at the Department of Archaeology on the following 4 dates: 19th October; 9th November; 23rd November and 7th December 2019 plus a field trip to the Museum of Zoology on 16 November 2019.
Unit 2: Life and Death in the Ancient Mediterranean
The Mediterranean's rich archaeological record has preserved major moments in human history. This course explores life and death via key themes: the transition from Mesolithic hunting and gathering, seafaring, Neolithic farming, mobility, sedentism, the first cities, burials and monuments. Regional case studies will show how major trends are transformed by people in light of their life and environment.
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.
Unit 3: Unwrapping the dead: funerary archaeology in Ancient Egypt
The funerary customs of the ancient Egyptians articulated their varied concepts of the soul and the afterlife, and mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife and a secure survival in it included mummification, the form and equipping of the tomb, funerary texts and the ritual of the funeral itself. Archaeology, anthropology and texts are combined to illustrate how these mechanisms were used and how far the actual differed from the ideal.
Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education on the following 4 dates: 25th April; 2nd May; 9th May; and 23rd May 2020 plus a field trip to the Fitzwilliam museum on 16 May 2020.
What can I go on to do?
The Institute offers three 60 credit complementary one year Diploma courses in Archaeology which are taught and awarded at second year undergraduate level (FHEQ 5). The Diplomas can be studied independently of each other, and in any order.
Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Conflict, History and Heritage (previously called Diploma in Archaeology II)
This Diploma course includes units on the history and theory of archaeology, conflict archaeology and museums and heritage.
Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Methods and Practice (previously called Diploma in Archaeology III)
This Diploma course offers a practical, hands-on qualification, enabling you to develop specialist skills as an archaeologist, preparing you to practise in the field.
Please see part-time qualifications in Archaeology for more information about the various courses.
Students who have successfully completed two 60 credit FHEQ level 5 undergraduate Diplomas in Archaeology can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education in Archaeology (120 credits at FHEQ level 5).
Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice
Students who have successfully completed an Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology course might be interested in progressing their studies further and apply to join the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice (60 credits at FHEQ level 6) which will offer an Archaeology strand. Students on this course will have the opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with qualified researchers in their field and will be introduced to a research community where they will begin to forge an identity as a researcher in their own right.
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 Diploma level course is suitable for those who have successfully completed the Certificate course or who have comparable knowledge and experience at FHEQ level 4 or equivalent.
If you are still unsure which academic level to study please contact the Academic Director for Archaeology, Dr Gilly Carr (gcc20@cam.ac.uk)
Accommodation
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).
