Leagan Gaeilge   Text Version   Display: Zoom (-) (+)   View ( Normal High contrast ) Printer Friendly  A to Z  Sitemap

diploma in Archaeology

The Department of Archaeology is actively involved in the teaching of archaeology to adult and other groups, both within the University and at designated centres in western Ireland. We run two-year evening Diplomas in Archaeology every year – one on campus in NUI Galway and another at one off-campus location. To date, such locations include Ennis, Roscommon and Sligo. This Diploma programme is designed to provide a well-founded knowledge of Ireland's archaeological heritage from the earliest settlers to the Medieval period. It is of particular relevance to first- and second-level teachers, and others interested in the contribution of archaeology to education, local studies and tourism.

Archaeology is the study of the material remains of past human societies. The discipline covers a remarkable span of time and investigates some of the most profoundly important developments of the past. The wide scope of archaeology, in time, space and methodology, is one of the features which makes the subject so attractive to professional and amateur alike. There is something to interest everyone - whether their interests lie in outdoor fieldwork and exploring ancient monuments, the study of artefacts, the history of technology, local studies, or simply in the rich heritage of Ireland’s past.

Archaeology is a constantly changing discipline, fed by new discoveries, new theoretical approaches and new analytical methods. These discoveries continue to revolutionise the subject's potential to inform us about the past and to give us a valuable long perspective on how this past has shaped our present. Exciting aspects of the practical side of archaeology such as excavation are familiar to everyone, but excavation is only one aspect of a discipline which combines humanistic interest with scientific method. For the interested student, archaeology offers a stimulating opportunity for intellectual enquiry.

This two-year programme has three broad aims:

• To introduce students to the discipline of archaeology, its historical development, theoretical perspectives and methodologies
• To present the archaeology of Ireland as a way of understanding ten thousand years of human settlement on this island
• To study the archaeological landscapes of western Ireland from earliest times, and to promote interest in this heritage at a local level

There are a number of field-trips in both years of the programme, with attendance on two each year compulsory. These excursions will be thematic in content, to directly complement the taught modules. There are three courses each year and each course has a credit weighting of 5 ECTS.

YEAR 1 MODULES

AR130 Introduction to Archaeology
AR131 The Archaeology of Prehistoric Ireland
AR132 The Archaeology of Historic Ireland

 

YEAR 2 MODULES

AR240 Approaching the Past
AR241 Prehistoric Landscapes
AR242 Historic Landscapes 

Further Information

Diploma in Archaeology, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.  Commencing September 2011
Adult Continuing Education - Application Form

    

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility