Archaeology for Screen Media

MA in Archaeology for Screen Media

Mode: part-time

This interdisciplinary MA, unique in the UK, combines theory and practice to develop understandings of the challenges in developing archaeological concepts in screen media contexts. Students work in both the Archaeology and Anthropology Department and the Department of Drama: Theatre, Film, Television. An integral part of the programme is a placement with a Time Team production shoot.

Strands within the course address archaeology and screen research methods, script development and production and the potential of post-production. Each unit integrates an understanding of professional practice with critical reflection.

Presentations, written work and practice-based assessments provide a progressive evaluation of your abilities in archaeological research methods and in screen media skills. The emphasis is on individual/group project work, which may involve written output, audio-visual submissions or a combination of both. Dissertation placements are assessed through tutorial supervisions, pro-forma mentor's report and a student evaluation.

Programme Structure

Compulsory Units

Materialities
Introduction to current theoretical approaches and debates in archaeology.

Mediatised Archaeologies
Critical overview of audio-visual representations of archaeology and material heritage in the context of current broadcast industry practice.

Project Development
Structures and supervision for the conceptualisation and development of independent project-based and research work.

Dissertation
One of the following:

• A 10,000-word written dissertation, or
• A practice-led audio-visual submission with supporting documentation and 5,000-word critical analysis, or
• A professional placement case study with supporting documentation and 5,000-word critical analysis

Students must also take one of the following options:

• Production in Practice

OR

• Narrative Grammar
• Time Team Placement (Unassessed) - Placements take place in the spring/summer.

Optional Units

Students also choose optional units from a range of Departmental, School and Faculty units, where scheduling allows. These include:

• Performance/Place/Space
• Politics, Poetics and Places of Memory: Remembering the Holocaust, 1945 to the Present
• Screen Histories
• Screen Research Methods
• Screen Style and Aesthetics
• Screening Nations