Program Overview

Introduction to the Structured Electives in Archaeology

The Structured Elective in Archaeology introduces students to the investigation of past societies from their material remains. This program offers the opportunity to develop knowledge of the full span of human existence across the world, from the distant past to the modern day. The modules that form this structured elective draw upon a range of multidisciplinary approaches, including the scientific analysis of plants, animals, and materials, as well as the study of ancient manuscripts.

Why Take This Structured Elective?

Archaeology is an exciting discipline that uniquely enables us to reveal the astonishing diversity of human culture and societies. It combines both the arts and the sciences, as well as book-based study with practical work outside. This blend of arts and sciences means that, whatever the student's interests, there will be something to discover by studying archaeology. The skills and approaches taught in this subject are useful in many walks of life, and archaeology is very much about teamwork, involving collaboration between people from various disciplines.

Benefits of the Structured Elective in Archaeology

The Structured Elective in Archaeology provides an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of the human past alongside their main program of study. If a student has taken an Archaeology module, they can continue their interest through a coherent block of modules designed to complement their core degree. As well as enabling an exciting intellectual quest to understand the past, the modules aim to develop a wide range of transferable skills like critical thinking and communication, which are valued in many careers and will also benefit the rest of their studies.

How to Take the Modules in This Structured Elective

• Structured Electives are available to undergraduate students only.
• To earn this Structured Elective, students must take the specified modules in or after the 2020/21 academic year.
• To be awarded this Structured Elective, students must take 15 credits from the list of modules outlined below. They will not be awarded this Structured Elective if they are graduating with a major or minor listed in the Eligibility section.
• It is recommended that modules are taken in the order of level 1, level 2, level 3.
• Students who successfully complete 15 credits in Archaeology will have this automatically noted on their final UCD degree transcript. The transcript will state that they have completed 'Structured Elective in Archaeology', in addition to their main degree subjects.

Module Details

The following modules are part of the Structured Elective in Archaeology:

• ARCH10010: Exploring Archaeology (5 credits)
• ARCH10160: The Human Past (5 credits)
• ARCH10050: Introduction to Archaeology of Ireland (5 credits)
• ARCH10150: Anthropology: An Introduction (5 credits)
• ARCH20510: Archaeology of landscapes (5 credits)
• ARCH20520: How Archaeologists think (5 credits)
• ARCH20570: Cultural Heritage (5 credits)
• ARCH20670: Medieval Archaeology (5 credits)
• ARCH20500: Archaeology of Things (5 credits)
• ARCH20600: Archaeological Science (5 credits)
• ARCH20610: Historical Archaeology (5 credits)
• ARCH20620: People in Prehistory (5 credits)
• ARCH30500: Experimental Archaeology and Ancient Technologies (5 credits)
• ARCH30990: Between Newgrange and Stonehenge (10 credits)
• ARCH31040: Art of Greek Emotion (5 credits)
• ARCH30910: Roman Art and Architecture (10 credits)
• ARCH30530: Early Medieval Ireland (5 credits)
• ARCH31050: Being Human in Prehistory (5 credits)
• ARCH31030: Archaeology of Communities (10 credits)
• ARCH30830: Medieval Buildings (10 credits)

Eligibility

Students will not be awarded this Structured Elective if they are graduating with a major or minor in the following programs:

• Archaeology Joint Major (AEJ1)
• Archaeology (AEJ4)
• Archaeology (AES2)
• Archaeology major (with language minor) (AEW2)
• Archaeology major (with other minor) (AEW3)
• Archaeology, Geography & History (LSS2)
• Geography (GGJ3)
• BA Humanities Classics, Art History & Archaeology (CAS1)