History
and
Archaeology
Award
Handbook
2013-14
History and Archaeology Award Handbook2013-2014
Contents
Introduction:The History and Archaeology Certificate Team / 3
The History and Archaeology Programme:
Certificate of Higher Education in History and Archaeology / 4
Getting Started:
Entry Requirements
Aims and Learning Objectives / 5
What to expect on your course:
Teaching
Attendance
Coursework and Assessment
Some assessment options
Joining the library
Resources for coursework – getting the most out of
Birkbeck library
Moodle
Change of Address & E-mail
Study Skills – a short guide
Referencing and Plagiarism – in brief / 6
7
9
10
11
12
Submission of Coursework
Quality Assurance
Coursework Submission
In-Course and Final Submission Deadlines
Coursework Penalties
Word Length
Late work/mitigating circumstances
Failure and Re-assessment
Appeals Procedure
Notification of Results, Return of Coursework,
Diploma Holders’ Reception, Issuing of
Certificate / 14
15
16
Progression / 17
Appendices
1. General Student Support and Resources
2. Disability Support
3. Marking Criteria: Coursework
4. Assessment Criteria: Oral Presentation
5. Assessment Offences
6. Late work/mitigating circumstances / 18
19
22
25
26
27
FAQs / 29
Introduction
Welcome to the Certificate Programme offered by the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology,School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy, Birkbeck College, University of London. This handbook is intended for all students taking History and Archaeologymodulesin the Certificate of Higher Education. It should be read in conjunction with the current Student Regulations and guidelines for Certificate Students at:
and
The History Subject Team is part of the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy, based at27/28Russell Square:
Award Co-ordinator for History and Archaeology Studies:
Dr Tim Reynolds
Tel: 020 7631 6067
Administrator for Certificate of Higher Education in History and Archaeology:
Jana Kakosova
Office G10 (ground floor)
27-28 Russell Square
Tel: 0203 073 8093
Please note Jana Kakosovais the first point of contact for all enquires about our programme
Secondary point of contact for History students
Michael Berlin
Team Leader:Alison Watson
Tel:020 7631 6217
The History and Archaeology Programme
The History and Archaeology Programme consists of theCertificate in Higher Education in History and Archaeology.
The award of Certificate in Higher Education in History and Archaeologyform only part of the wide history provision offered by the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophyat Birkbeck which includes history study skills, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. We very much hope you will enjoy and benefit from this provision as you progress with your studies.
Ourcurrent awards are part of Birkbeck’s Common Awards Schemeand are renamed in accordance with theNational Qualifications Framework. They will have greater currency with other institutions and local authorities as they will be readily recognised in terms of credit and level. This will benefit students when applying to local authorities for funding (if eligible) and to higher education institutions to continue their studies.
To gain the Certificate of Higher Education, you must successfully complete modules worth 120 credit points. Most modules are worth 15 credits, and some are worth 30 credits. The list of modules can be found in the History, Archaeology or Egyptology listings on the following website:
In addition to studying these modules, you may take any foreign language modules (up to 30 credits) as part of your programme of learning for the certificate.
Information on individual modules is publicised annually in our prospectus and on the web. Syllabi are produced for each module and these are available prior to the start of the class either on request or from the web at:
Getting Started
Entry Requirements: There are no specific entry requirements for the Certificate in Higher Education in History and Archaeology, nor for most of our modules, however, all modules are taught at university level and students should be able to read, write and speak English fluently in order to benefit fully from their studies.
Main aims of our courses: This programme provides students with access to a range of modules, whether focussed simply on history (from antiquity to the contemporary world), archaeological study, Egyptology, or aspects of the Ancient Near East (from 6000BCE to 0BCE). Students have a free range of choices within the available modules, and can gain an introduction to a variety of ways of understanding the past.
Elements within the Certificate programme run in parallel to the first-year of the BA History, and successful completion of the Certificate can lead seamlessly into BA study.
Our courses aim to:
Enable you to develop of a clear sense of the process of change and the ways in which historians have interpreted surviving materials from a variety of different periods.
To develop your skills in the construction and communication of historical hypotheses and arguments.
To encourage empathy thereby enhancing historical understanding.
To enthuse and stimulate you in the study of history and archaeology.
The learning objectives of our courses are to enable you:
To gain skills of interpretation, analysis and communication with the ability to discuss confidently the knowledge and understanding developed.
To demonstrate a critical awareness that the insights and limitations of different source materials are a much a product of particular cultural traditions as the events they describe.
Todevelop the ability to present an argument, both verbally and written, with clarity and focus, supported by evidence which is relevant, reliable and well researched.
The gain the desire to deepen and extend your knowledge through the continued study of history.
What to expect on your course
Teaching
The majority of the modules in the programme for the Certificate of Higher Education in History and Archaeologyare taught by members of our part-time sessional lecturer panel. Our part-time lecturers are a valued and committed part of the team, and they bring considerable experience and enthusiasm to their teaching. We also run a number of courses in partnership with major heritage sites and museums in London, offering alternative delivery courses with the assistance of their highly qualified and experienced education staff.
As a programme delivering courses to adult learners, we value what you as students can bring to the teaching and learning process and we therefore encourage tutors to use a wide range of approaches in their teaching. These might include: lecturer and student presentations; the analysis of texts; use of visual materials; class and group discussions and individual and group project work. Class visits may also be arranged where appropriate.
You will be encouraged to participate fully in group work/discussion in class as this is designed to develop your skills in analysing a question or problem, and in communicating your ideas. It is perfectly legitimate to use ideas from discussions in your course work.
Attendance
In order to be eligible for assessment for a module, you need to show a satisfactory level of attendance (at least 50% of the meetings), except where otherwise stated in the award specifications, or where you have been granted exemption.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended in order for students to benefit fully from their course.
Coursework and Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of all Certificate modules and supports your learning and progression towards your final award. All modules are assessed through coursework and we encourage a variety of methods, the balance of which will depend on the objectives and learning outcomes of each module. The variety is intended to allow you to develop and display a range of skills. Forms of assessment offered to you may include: student presentations, reviews, case studies, essays, reports and learning journals. For a two-term 30 CATS point module the requirement is 4500-5500 words (or equivalent). For a one term 15 CATS point module 2500-3000 words (or equivalent) are needed.
Taking part in assessment will enhance your understanding and help you to develop your skills of historical analysis. It will also help us: Birkbeck’s Certificate Programmes, including the History and ArchaeologyProgramme are dependent for funding on students completing the assessment for the modules they take.
Some assessment options
You will often be required to complete at least one essay as part of your course but may in addition have the option to undertake a range of other assessment tasks. The following may not be appropriate for all modules; your tutor will tell you which are most relevant and may also suggest others. Please do not hesitate to ask them if you need help or advice.
- Essays. Writing an essay will give you the opportunity to focus in depth on an area of interest and will consolidate your research and writing skills. You might find it helpful to discuss your title and approach with your peers or tutor before you start writing. Some tutors may use essay titles as a basis for seminar discussions and this will also help you to develop your ideas. Address the essay question carefully and try to develop an argument in relation to it.
- Documentary analysis. Some seminars may include discussion of primary sources. You can extend this analysis in a written piece. You might want to consider some of the following questions (amongst others): where is the source from? Who would have seen/read it? What was its aim and effect? How does it enhance your knowledge of the subject? What are its limitations? What others kinds of sources would you want to examine alongside this material – and why? How useful is the source to historians?
- Visit reports. Some modules include visits to museums and ‘heritage’ sites, and as part of your assessment you can write a critical reflection. How was the material presented? Was it contentious in any way? What was included – and omitted? Was there an implicit/explicit argument woven into the exhibit? How could the display/commentary have been improved. How did the visit enhance your understanding of the topic? If your module does not include a visit of this kind you might still want to write on a relevant museum/site you have visited – but please ensure you consult your tutor first.
- Book/article review. Critically assess a text or article from your reading list. Describe what the piece covers and the argument the author makes. In addition you might consider the particular approach s/he has taken and the kinds of sources s/he has used. What contribution does the piece make? What are its limitations? A comparative review of two pieces might give you more opportunity to demonstrate your analytical skills.
You could address similar questions in a review of a film or documentary – but again check with your tutor first.
- Reflective Log/Critical Review.A critical review is a recognised form of academic writing which is especially helpful for developing analytical thinking. ‘Critical’ in this sense is not negative, but requires the student to question information and opinions and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented.
In a critical review you are encouraged to record, analyse and reflect upon your learning experiences. The process of reflective thinking is vital to critical thinking and assessing information, and requires time and commitment. In particular, you are invited to reflect upon your presuppositions, observations, ideas, questions, changing perceptions and understanding as a result of your learning on this course and its effect upon your appreciation of individual sessions. Through this process you can identify how and what you have learned, and evaluate the different tools and approaches to the study of the past that you have encountered, and recognise why your learning has been effective.
- Seminar presentation. A 5 – 10 minute seminar presentation plus a 500 word report is equivalent to 1,000 words. As with essays, your presentation should not be purely descriptive: address a particular question/problem and try to develop an argument. The short written report should not repeat what was said in the presentation but reflect on how it went: what was communicated effectively? What could have gone better? If you were to do a longer presentation what other sources/information would you want to explore/include? You can choose to do a presentation in pairs or as a group, but if you do you must each write a separate 500 word report.
- Walks and guides. Some modules relate to specific areas and places. If so you might design a guided walk, including the itinerary, the key points you would be seeking to make, and the reasons why you have included certain items in your tour and omitted others. You might also outline the argument you are trying to make by linking these places together (are you making an overall point about architectural style, about the mixing of social classes or the particular problems of transport or sanitation, for example).
If you are undertaking a walk as part of your module, you might (in consultation with your tutor) provide a commentary on one or two sites en route. This could be part of your assessment if you also submit a short (500 word) reflection on your contribution and how it related to the rest of the walk. A spoken commentary and 500 word submission is equivalent to 1,000 words.
Joining the Library
Your student ID card is your library card. Once you have completed your enrolment you can upload a recent image of yourself onto yourMy Birkbeck profileand submit your order for your ID card. Alternatively, you can visit the My Birkbeck Helpdesk where a photo can be taken for you and your card produced. Please note you may be required to queue during busy periods. For further information go to:
How long you have access to the Library and IT Services facilities will depend on the total number of CATS points awarded for the courses you are enrolled on:
- If your course is less than 60 CATS points then your access to the Library will be to the end date of your course + 28 days.
- If the courses you are studying total is equal or greater than 60 CATS then access to the Library will be to the end of the academic year.
For further information on the library facilities go to:
You can also sign up to the UK Libraries Plus scheme, which gives you borrowing privileges at three other libraries and reference use of all the participating libraries. See:
Resources for coursework: getting the most out of Birkbeck Library
You should use your course outline and further bibliography supplied by your tutor as a guide to material you will need to complete your assessment tasks. Most of what you require should be found in Birkbeck Library. It is very much in your interest to attend library training sessions offered in your subject area and in using electronic resources generally. Most books are available for borrowing, although some may be available for reference in the library only.
Details of library provision, tours and guides, including an online tutorial on how to use the library can be found at:
For information on the resources available for history and archaeology students through Birkbeck College Library, including on-line books, reference works, journals, catalogues, and search tools go to:
For specific guidance for historians and history students on getting the best out the internet go to:
If a book or journal you require is not available in the library do check with the interlibrary loan service, for a small fee of £1 per item, the library is able very quickly to supply books not currently held in its collection. See the following links:
Moodle
Moodle is an online resource centre complied by tutors, including essential reading and other reference material. Moodleis designed to enhance your learning by allowing you to view course materials and learning resources online. You can also use it to talk online with your lecturer or other students about the course using discussions, chat or email. Your tutor will let you know if your course is currently participating. You will need to activate your Birkbeck IT username and password in order to access the Moodle. Most students are given a ITS (IT Services) username and password at the start of their course. If you have not received a letter from IT Services containing these details you can get them from ITS helpdesk:
To get started on Moodle go to:
Change of Address
Birkbeck students are required to maintain their personal details via their My Studies at Birkbeck Portal. Failure to maintain this information via your student portal will mean that you may miss important information concerning the course and examinations.
It is a requirement that all Birkbeck students maintain their own contact details for the entirety of their programme. All documentation, reading lists, class notices etc. will be sent via the Birkbeck e-mail system. You may nominate an email via your My Studies at Birkbeck Student Portal. If you encounter any difficulty with this process please visit the My Birkbeck Helpdesk in the main Malet Street building. Email is the Department’s normal means of communication.