Archaeology - Hunter Gatherer Archaeology

MSc Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MSc and Graduate Diploma in Hunter- Gatherer Archaeology is for students interested in the fascinating and remarkable world of hunter-gatherers. It is often claimed that humans have spent 90-99% of their existence as hunter-gatherers. Understanding these ways of life provides vital perspectives on human identity and the challenges and opportunities societies face today. Anthropology provides information about recent hunter-gatherers, but archaeology is the only discipline that can understand our hunter-gatherer past, and hunter-gatherer archaeology therefore has a particular significance. Our programme will introduce students to key themes in the archaeology of past hunter gatherers, the relationship between past and present hunting and gathering communities, and the contemporary context of knowledge production about hunter-gatherers. Our primary focus is the archaeology of Homo sapienshunter-gatherers: we will include some discussion of non-Homo sapiens, but this is not a course on human evolution.

You will develop skills in project design and independent research, data analysis and interpretation, communicating the past to different stakeholders, as well as how to develop different perspectives on the past. You will be part of a dynamic, friendly and international postgraduate community in a School with a 160-year history of exceptional archaeological research and you will form part of the UCD Hunter Gatherer Research Group.

Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology students have the opportunity to volunteer on many of our hunter-gatherer research projects, potentially including two weeks of excavation in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. Contact the course director (graeme.warren@ucd.ie) for details.

Course Description
MSc in Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology
Programme co-ordinator: Professor Graeme Warren
Contact: graeme.warren@ucd.ie

The programme will ask you to consider two fundamental questions:
• Is there something distinctive about the archaeology of hunter-gatherers?
• What is the value and significance of hunter-gatherer archaeology?

The aim is for you to find your own answers to these questions, and consequently, core modules place a strong emphasis on student-led activities and discussion. This will require a global consideration of key themes in the archaeology and anthropology of hunter-gatherers and a critical perspective on the contexts of knowledge production. The very idea that there are types of societies that can be defined as 'hunter-gatherers' is a product of particular contexts: a problematic blend of colonialism, racism and social evolutionary models that lies at the centre of modern Western thought. We will confront the issues that arise from this legacy. Our perspective is global, and from the deep past to the present. The main focus is on Homo sapiens – although we will consider other species of humans. This is not a course on human evolution, although the perspectives developed will be of value to those who study this.

The programme is based around a spine of modules allowing you to focus on hunter-gatherer archaeology, with options providing the opportunity to develop complementary specialisms in: Archaeology; Experimental Archaeology; and World Heritage Management. Field and practical opportunities are provided throughout the programme.

In Trimester One, the core modules include Material Culture, which is foundational to archaeological perspectives and Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology 1: key themes.This module provides an opportunity for you to generate a high-level introduction to the archaeology of hunter-gatherers and the range of interpretative frameworks, methods and techniques which have structured our practice. Your options are as outlined above.

Trimester Two includes two core modules. Research Skillswill help you design and develop your dissertation project on hunter-gatherers, supporting you in identifying research questions, topics and methods. Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology 2: knowledge production in the present asks you reflect on the relationship between archaeology and indigenous communities, the colonial legacy of archaeological thought and practice, the integration of different types of data and world views, and the communication of the results of our practice. The aim is to encourage a critical, self-reflexive awareness of how we practice our craft. This is then embedded in your capstone project, the MSc Thesis which is carried out in Trimester Three. This independent project is supervised by a member of UCD School of Archaeology staff.

It is anticipated that students will form part of the UCD Hunter-Gatherer Research Group. The HGRG host seminars, workshops etc. The aim is to provide an informal environment for researchers to meet and discuss themes of interest (and eat cake).

Vision and Values Statement
The MSc and Graduate Diploma in Hunter Gatherer Archaeology is for students interested in the fascinating and remarkable world of hunter-gatherers. It is often claimed that humans have spent 90 or 99% of their existence as hunter-gatherers. Understanding these ways of life provides vital perspectives on human identity and the challenges and opportunities societies face today. Archaeology is the only subject that can provide this information. Our programme will introduce students to key themes in the archaeology of past hunter gatherers, the relationship of past and present hunting and gathering communities, and the contemporary social context of knowledge production about hunter-gatherers. Our primary focus is the archaeology of Homo sapiens hunter-gatherers: we will include some discussion of non-Homo sapiens, but this is not a course on human evolution.

You will develop skills in project design and independent research, data analysis and interpretation, communicating the past to different stakeholders, as well as how to different perspectives on the past. You will be part of a dynamic, friendly and international postgraduate community in a School with a 160-year history of exceptional archaeological research and you will form part of the UCD Hunter Gatherer Research Group.

Core modules:
• Autumn Trimester: Hunter-Gatherers 1: key themes
• Spring Trimester: Hunter-Gatherers 2: producing knowledge
• Material Culture
• Research Project Skills

Optional modules:
In discussion with the Programme Coordinator, students will be advised to choose their options from one thematic area available in our other graduate programmes:
• Archaeology
• Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture
• World Heritage Management

Graduate Dissertation
(30 credits, MSc only)

Modules and topics shown are subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD.

Entry Requirements
• Entry to MSc based on an Upper Second Class Honours (2H1) undergraduate degree (GPA 3.2, NFQ Level 8, or the international equivalent) in archaeology or anthropology, or other cognate disciplines (to be discussed with programme coordinator)

• Entry to GradDip based on a Lower Second Class Honours (2H2) undergraduate degree (GPA 2.7, NFQ Level 8, or the international equivalent) in archaeology or anthropology, or other cognate disciplines (to be discussed with programme coordinator)

• If English is not your native language, proof of proficiency in English will be required, unless you took your primary degree through English. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL Internet Based Test is 90, on the IELTS system it is 6.5.

The following entry routes are available:
MSc Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology PT (W502)
Deadline: Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

The MSc and GradDip programmes are intended for applicants with a degree in archaeology, anthropology, or cognate disciplines such as geography, history, environmental studies, or professionals working in museums, heritage management or related areas. Contact us for advice and information, especially to consider relevant archaeological experience.

2 years part-time
Mode of delivery: Blended

Careers & Employability
The MSc and Graduate Diploma will provide you with the skills required to develop a career in the archaeological profession or the heritage sector, or to go on to further academic study. Transferable skillsets such as critical thinking and project management will also provide you with an excellent grounding for future employment in other sectors. Graduates of this programme may progress to careers in:

• Further research, whether academic or professional
• Commercial archaeology and cultural resource management
• The heritage sector & Tourism
• State sector bodies
• NGOs
• Education