News Archive
New BA (Hons) in Geography & Archaeology
Fri, 26 Oct 2012
College of Arts, Celtic Studies andSocial Sciences, UCC
CK 107 BA (Hons) in Geography and Archaeology (NFQLevel 8)
This degree offers a broad foundation in the disciplines of Archaeology andGeography, with relevant teaching in the areas of Computer Science, EarthScience and Environmental Science. It is aimed at students who have an interestin the study of human societies, past and present, and in contemporary issuesrelating to heritage management, the environment and sustainable living. Archaeology and Geography are closely related disciplines, concerned with concepts of timeand space in relation to human culture and landscape. The Archaeology teaching providesthe type of intellectual and practical training necessary to become a professional archaeologist. Teaching in Geography provides a wide range oftechnical and communication skills, with graduates likely to find work inenvironmental technical fields, environmental consultancy, planning, heritageand tourism in addition to secondary education.
What will students study?
The degree has a modular structure in which a range of lecture and field coursesare taken on a full-time basis over a three-year period. The programme provides students with a common foundation of knowledge, skills and experience, with anopportunity through option courses to tailor their degree according to specificinterests and ambitions. Many courses include a practical component in the formof laboratory sessions and fieldwork.
The first year of this degree involves an exposure to thedisciplines of Archaeology and Geography, as well as a foundation in Computer Science, Earth Science and Environmental Science. The Archaeology course provides an introduction to this discipline, as well as a general survey of thearchaeology of Ireland in its European context. First Year Geography offers a foundation in cultural, economic and physical areas of the discipline. Students take a Computer Science module focusing on internet applications, as well ascourses that provide a basic introduction to Earth Science and Environmental Science.
The Second and Third Year courses provides teaching in differentareas of the two core disciplines, as well as the possibility to take option modules in Computer Science, Earth Science and Environmental Science. The Archaeology teaching offers modules on different aspects of theory and practicein Archaeology, including culture history courses on the prehistoric andhistoric eras in Ireland and Europe. The Geography teaching includes courses on social and political geography, geomorphology and geoinformatics, as well as such areas as coastal environments, tourism studies and environmental sustainability. Second Year includes a one-week residential field course, while Third year students undertake a research dissertation in Archaeology and/orGeography.
Career Opportunities
The aim of this degree is to provide a range of vocational skills relevant to Archaeology and Geography that are transferable to others areas of employment.
The degree will be attractive to employers in different areas dueto its multi-disciplinary and skills-based design. Students will develop a high level of critical thinking and problem-solving ability, an ability to analyse complex issues, and various technical competences that can be applied to different work situations. These includeskills in computing and information technology, lab practice and fieldwork, basic research and report writing.
Aswell as being an exciting and interesting subject, Archaeology is a professional career area, with varied and flexible employment opportunities athome and abroad. In Ireland archaeologists work in the State heritage sector and local authorities, or as consultants working in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Many geographers pursue rewarding careers in education, business, government agencies, and non-profitorganizations. The private sector is increasingly interested in the technicalskills of geographers as many businesses use spatial information and geo-informaticsin their work. Moreover, the integrating nature of geography has become a major asset in a world of constant change in which many employers seek adaptability and flexibility, rather thannarrow technical knowledge which is soon outdated.