Archaeology of Death and Memory MA

Program Overview

The MA in Archaeology of Death and Memory delves into the historical treatment and commemoration of the dead, examining the complex relationship between death, burial, and memory from prehistory to the present. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and field visits, students gain advanced expertise in mortuary archaeology, the archaeology of the body, and the archaeology of memory, preparing them for careers in heritage, education, and academia.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA in Archaeology of Death and Memory explores the historical treatment and commemoration of the dead from prehistory to the present day. The course examines the complex history of death and memory from hunter-gatherer societies of the Palaeolithic to recent times.

Objectives:

• Examine and gain advanced expertise in the study of death, burial and commemoration in the human past.
• Shed light on debates and concerns of our present day.
• Explore debates that connect archaeology to research themes shared across the humanities and social sciences.
• Examine studies of ritual, the body, material culture, memory and mortality.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Research Skills in Archaeology and Heritage:
This module provides Master's level research skills and methods specifically for archaeology and heritage. Students learn to identify resources, appraise and critique research publications, and construct and analyze archaeological evidence.
• Mortuary Archaeology: This module provides an advanced survey and assessment of theory and method in the archaeology of death, burial, and commemoration.
It explores current debates and approaches in mortuary archaeology using case studies from world archaeology, European archaeology, and the archaeology of the British Isles. Interdisciplinary debates in the material culture of death explored by anthropology, sociology, and history are also addressed.
• Archaeology and the Body: This module examines the role of the body in constructing memories and identities across cultures.
It analyzes the archaeology of human remains (human osteology and palaeopathology including a critical appraisal of osteobiographical and analogical perspectives of the body in life and death) and combines these approaches with the study of embodiment and corporeality in past societies.
• Landscapes and Memory: The module explores the rich interdisciplinary and growing research field of ‘the archaeology of memory’ in relation to landscapes.
It draws on case studies worldwide from different periods and places to illustrate current debates on the roles of material culture, monuments, and landscapes in the creation and recreation of the past in the past.
• Research Dissertation: Archaeology and Heritage: Students research and write a 16,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice, negotiated with a supervising tutor.
The dissertation involves research into heritage practice, archaeological heritage, and the archaeology of the contemporary past.
• Optional Modules:
• Archaeological Heritage in Practice:
Drawing on current research in heritage studies and contemporary archaeology, this module explores heritage concepts and interpretation, the definitions and management of the archaeological heritage, and the interaction of archaeological thinking, methods, and practice with contemporary popular culture.
• Research Essay: Students research and write a 4,000-word research essay on a topic of their choice, negotiated with a supervising tutor.
The essay can focus on mortuary archaeology, archaeologies of memory, and the archaeology of the body, or on other areas relevant to the Department’s specialisms.
• Public Archaeology: This module explores theoretical and practical debates in the practice of public archaeology, including community archaeology, the ethics of volunteering in archaeology, the creation of and access to archaeological information, and archaeology and social benefit.

Assessment:

• Core and Optional Modules: Assessment is via written work and other methods equivalent to approximately 4,000 words per 20-credit module.
• Research Dissertation: The dissertation is approximately 16,000 words in length.

Teaching:

• Methods: A mixture of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, and field visits to archaeological and heritage sites.
• Faculty: Dr. Amy Gray Jones (Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, Programme Leader), Dr. Caroline Pudney (Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, Programme Leader), Professor Howard Williams (Professor of Archaeology, Programme Leader), Dr. Barry Taylor (Senior Lecturer), Prof Meggen Gondek (Professor), Dr. Morn Capper (Senior Lecturer).

Careers:

• Prospects: Graduates have pursued careers in the heritage sector, primary and secondary education, writing and publishing.
Many have used the course as a foundation for academic careers, completing PhD programs to pursue teaching and research in higher education.

Other:

• The majority of the course is delivered through seminar-style teaching in small groups, allowing students to work closely with lecturers and develop analysis and communication skills.
• The course allows students to follow their own interests through designing their own research questions for some assignments and for the research dissertation.
• The UK's national assessment of research quality recognizes that the Archaeology and Heritage team produces research of "world-leading" (4 ) standard.
Students will have access to this research and professional environment.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Home Students

£8,505 per year (2024/25)

International/EU Students

£14,750 per year (2024/25) The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750. The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter. For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section. Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.