Structure and Curriculum of the Master of Arts in Prehistoric Archaeology
Modules
The Master of Arts in Prehistoric Archaeology may be started in the summer or winter semester. It can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. The programme is designed for a study period of four semesters (eight semesters for part-time students) and consists of a core discipline (focus on prehistory and ancient history) and a distribution elective, in which you take modules from adjacent disciplines.
The course catalogue is modular in structure. Modules summarise subject areas into coherent, complete units. Any one module may comprise contents from an individual semester or year of study or, alternatively, cover multiple semesters. The modules of the master’s degree programme usually consist of one or two classes. Each module culminates in an examination; students are awarded ECTS points on the basis of their exam.
Programme structure
To obtain the degree of ‘Master of Arts’ in Prehistoric Archaeology, students must complete modules worth a combined 120 ECTS points. This total score is achieved by completing the core discipline (worth 60 ECTS points), distribution elective (at least 30 ECTS points) and the master's thesis (30 ECTS points). Students must successfully complete the following modules from the core discipline in Prehistoric Archaeology and acquire the minimum scores listed.
Module description: core discipline
Module 1: Sources and Epochs in Prehistoric Archaeology (11 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- In-depth knowledge of source types (settlement remains, tomb monuments, depots or fortifications, individual types of finds such as ceramic, stone or metal artefacts) and epochs in prehistory and ancient history
- Gaining an advanced, detailed understanding of one specialist category in the discipline; consolidating the mastery of academic methods
- Cultivating advanced oral and written academic presentation skills
Module 2: Areas and Regions in Prehistoric Archaeology (11 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- In-depth knowledge of areas and regions (cultural developments, ideological, religious, social and economic networks and the development of prehistoric societies with a focus on Europe) in prehistory and ancient history
- Gaining an advanced, detailed understanding of one specialist category in the discipline; consolidating the mastery of academic working methods
- Cultivating advanced oral and written academic presentation skills
Module 3: Practical Approaches to Prehistoric Archaeology (13 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- In-depth knowledge of methods and practices in Prehistoric Archaeology, including theoretical and practical classes on experimental archaeology, teaching science and curating exhibitions
- Confident mastery of modern measurement, prospection and excavation methods
- Acquisition of key qualifications for various occupations in academia and monument conservation (e.g. processing features and findings during research projects, management of archaeological excavations)
Module 4: Field Work and Excursions in Prehistoric Archaeology (11 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- In-depth knowledge of monuments, research excavations, archaeological collections and research institutions
- Confident recognition and interpretation of various topographic situations in the context of prehistoric and ancient monuments
- Ability to conduct guided tours in an academically well-founded manner in preparation for occupations such as tourism
Module 5: Discipline-specific Colloquia (8 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- Acquisition of interdisciplinary archaeological expertise from external, international specialists from at least five sub-disciplines
- Well-considered presentation and defence of own research results in the context of academic discourse
Module 6: Additional Advanced Module in Prehistoric Archaeology (6 ECTS points)
Content and learning objectives:
- Consolidation and deepening of specialist content, knowledge and methods based on the student’s personal interests
Information about the distribution elective
For the distribution elective of their course, students must complete modules from other subjects in the following elective fields:
a) Elective field 1: two or more modules worth a total of 15 ECTS points in another archaeological discipline: Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology, Islamic Art and Archaeology, Digital Geoarchaeology or the disciplines offered at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg: Christian Archaeology and Classical Archaeology.
a) Elective field 2: one or more modules worth a total of 10 ECTS points in one of the following disciplines: Cultural Heritage Protection (Heritage Conservation – Architectural Research and History – Materials and Preservation Science) or Ancient History or Geography.
c) Elective field 3: one module worth at least 5 ECTS points in one of the archaeological disciplines not taken for elective field 1 or in one of the following disciplines: Cultural Informatics, Communication Science or European Ethnology.
For descriptions of the modules available in the elective portion of the course, see their respective module handbooks.