History with Archaeology BA (Hons)

About This Course

The past has many dimensions and there are many routes to it. Archaeology, which deals with material evidence, artefacts, monuments and buildings, is one avenue, while history, traditionally derived from written sources, is another. They are complementary and both are relevant to our past - together they help to guide us through the maze of evidence available to arrive at an understanding of the past.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• This course emphasises the 2 complementary sources of evidence, giving you experience in working with both archaeological and historical sources.
• During the History with Archaeology degree you will develop skills that will be advantageous in a number of careers. Students from Bangor have gone on to work towards field and museum qualifications and many have professional archaeological careers.
• The School has an excellent teaching reputation.
• Our staff specialise in the archaeology of Britain and Ireland, with some European archaeology. We offer modules which include prehistory, Roman, early medieval and medieval archaeology as well as landscape archaeology and heritage.
• North Wales is exceptionally rich in archaeological monuments of all periods. Field trips, archaeological survey and excavation take advantage of this.

Course Content

You spend about 12 hours per week in lectures, seminars and practicals. Outside this time you will complete essays, analysis exercises, preparation for seminars and reading. In addition to this, field trips to visit archaeological sites and museums are an important part of the teaching experience. You will also have the opportunity to go on excavations and carry out other practical work.

In the first year you will have around 5 trips to visit local monuments. In the second and third years field trips vary in length and nature and include local sites, as well as trips to other parts of Britain and Ireland.

Assessment is through a combination of written work, essays, exams, portfolios and presentations. The dissertation and the special subject each form one-third of the assessment in the final year.

Careers

The complementary nature of these two disciplines will enable you to pursue a career in Archaeology by means of the practical and theoretical skills acquired, coupled with a clear understanding of historical contexts. More generally, this degree will provide you with analytical and practical skills enabling you to tackle a variety of careers in the humanities.