Archaeology
Coordinator: Prof Chris Gosden
Introduction
The School of Archaeology is offering a one-year Master of Studies course (MSt) and a two-year Master of Philosophy course (MPhil) in Archaeology. Both courses are of value in themselves and both provide a suitable platform for further research at doctoral level. As with the other Masters degrees in Archaeology, the hallmark of these degrees is flexibility, allowing students to select those options most suitable for them.
As well as specialisations in the fields of Classical Archaeology and Archaeological Science, Oxford boasts a long tradition of archaeological research in Europe and other parts of the world. Making full use of the opportunities for study and research provided by the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museums and their World-class libraries, as well as of the University's other archaeological resources, the taught courses in Archaeology allow graduate students to develop their interests in Europe and the world, over a wide time range. Major areas of regional expertise lie in the development of European society from the Palaeolithic period until the Middle Ages, sub-Saharan Africa, Australasia, and the Islamic world. Additionally, staff members have interests in, and can provide teaching that covers, landscape archaeology, the archaeology of colonialism, archaeological method and
theory and hunter-gatherer archaeology.
Course subjects and streams
The degree has a core component with a weekly seminar for all students giving breadth of outlook. This component covers major themes in archaeological research and the development of research and presentation skills needed in the rest of the course.
Many students will wish to follow one of several possible streams in this course, though this is not a formal requirement:
The table below shows the subject options suggested for the streams. Follow the links above to see an overview for an individual stream.
Not all the courses listed may be available every year.
Academic staff
- Prof Nick Barton
- Dr Lisa Bendall
- Dr Amy Bogaard
- Dr Nicole Boivin
- Prof Chris Gosden
- Prof Helena Hamerow
- Dr Dan Hicks
- Prof Jeremy Johns
- Prof Donna Kurtz
- Prof Peter Mitchell
- Dr John Naylor
- Prof Michael Petraglia
- Prof Mark Pollard
- John Pouncett
- Prof. Dame Jessica Rawson
- Dr Damian Robinson
- Prof Mark Robinson
- Dr Rick Schulting
- Dr Eleanor Standley
- wadeson
Examinations
MSt
- required to study three subjects for examination
- at least one subject must be assessed by examination with an unseen 3 hour written paper offering a choice of questions
- the second subject will normally be examined by a pair of 5,000 word preset essays or the candidate may chose to substitute a 10,000 word dissertation on an approved topic
- the third subject will normally be examined by a further pair of 5,000 word pre-set essays
- at least two of the subjects studied should be from the 'Main' and 'Additional' lists above.
- a viva voce examination may be held
MPhil
- in the first year, the candidate takes the same examination as the MSt and must pass it to qualify for the second year
- in the second year, the candidate presents a 25,000 word dissertation on an approved topic and
- is examined in one further subject chosen from those listed for the MSt, normally by a pair of 5,000-word pre-set essays
The dissertation
For the one-year MSt degree a thesis of up to 10,000 words on an approved topic is optional. For the two year MPhil degree submission of a thesis of up to 25,000 words on an approved topic is required. A supervisor is appointed to guide the student but the work must be the student's own original work.