Archaeology AS/A2

EXAMINATION BOARD AQA
AS SPECIFICATION CODE 1011
A2 SPECIFICATION CODE 2011

Course Introduction:
Archaeology examines past societies and achievements, beliefs, values and their impact through materials left behind. Students will use a range of evidence to analyse past peoples, as well as the theory and practice of archaeology, and will undertake an archaeological investigation in a personal study.

The course studied is designed to encourage students to:
• Study the past from material remains which can include objects recovered from the ground, written sources, buildings still in or above the ground, or photographs.
• Develop their critical thinking, written & oral communication and evidential analysis, as well as ICT skills.
• Consider the nature of past societies, human achievements, religious beliefs, moral values and attitudes and the impact of these on individuals, groups & whole societies.
• The course is equally valuable to those who go on to other courses at a higher education level, as it offers the challenge of understanding and using a range of evidence to reach substantiated conclusions, and raises awareness of how knowledge is constantly being updated.

Entry Requirements:
To succeed in this course students will need to have attained:

GSCE Grade B in History, Geography or English

Course Assessment:
AS Level (Year 12)

Unit 1 The Archaeology of Religion & Ritual

Assessed by way of an examination

Unit 2 Archaeological themes and methods

Assessed by way of an examination

A2 Level (Year 13)

Unit 3 Themes and issues in world archaeology

Assessed by way of an examination

Unit 4 Archaeological Investigations – Personal Study

Assessed on presented coursework