Location:

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Corpus Christi College Summer School in British Archaeology provides in-depth training in all of the major periods of British Archaeology (within a European context) and is taught by senior academic staff from Cambridge and other leading universities. The month-long summer school is based in the medieval setting of Corpus Christi College, founded in 1352, one of the oldest of the 31 historic colleges forming the University of Cambridge. The programme offers an exciting opportunity to study in England and will be of interest both to anthropology students and to students studying other subjects but having an interest in archaeology. The course includes field visits in the company of expert lecturers to many famous and fascinating archaeological sites. All students will have the opportunity to practise basic excavation techniques at a test pit. A limited number of spaces will also be available for those who wish to extend their stay and take part in a leading archaeological dig (at additional cost). Any student attending this course will obtain the latest, up to date knowledge; make new acquaintances, both student and professional; and learn new archaeological methods. It is anticipated that students will obtain six credits for completing the course.

1. A series of 30 lectures given by senior academics covering the successive periods of British prehistoric and post-prehistoric archaeology, from the earliest settlement of Britain to the end of the medieval period ca.1500. This will include lectures devoted to the major, relevant aspects of archaeological method and theory, combined with guided visits to the laboratories of the Cambridge University McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and the museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. 3. A 4-day study tour of Ancient Wessex to visit many of the most important archaeological sites in southern England, including the famous Neolithic and Bronze-age sites of Stonehenge, Woodhenge, Avebury, West Kennet and Durrington Walls, Salisbury Cathedral and Old Sarum. 4. Field visits to relevant Roman and medieval sites. Shorter visits will be made to the principal medieval colleges of Cambridge and the collections of Cambridge University Fitzwilliam Museum, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the British Museum (London) and the unique collection of Anglo-Saxon and early medieval manuscripts housed in the Parker Library of Corpus Christi College itself – containing almost 25 percent of the known Anglo-Saxon manuscripts world-wide. 5. Tuition in practical excavation methods, including 2 days test-pitting learning the techniques of digging first hand. Some lectures and field visits will be at the weekends but time will also be scheduled for individual study and exploration. For 2012 an optional 2-week fieldwork extension at an extra cost is available, in which you will be able to take part in an important archaeological excavation in the UK. The number of places is strictly limited so please contact us as soon as possible to receive further details.

For those wishing to take the course to secure credits from their home universities, performance in the course will be assessed on the basis of a short (ca.2000-word) paper on a topic of the student’s choice (guided by the course instructors) due a month after the program ends, test pitting & artifact/heritage report, plus a three-hour written test at the end of the course (note that none of these is a requirement for enrolment on the course). It is anticipated that most American universities will accept satisfactory completion of the course as the equivalent of 8 credits in the American academic system. Note we cannot recommend credit for those who do not complete all parts of the course. Certificates substantiating the course content and recommending credit and, if relevant, the grades awarded, will be provided at the end of the course. Please note that neither Corpus Christi College nor Cambridge University is in a position to award academic credit. It is up to you to ensure, preferably in advance, that your college or university will recognize such certification and award the suggested credits.

Setting Description:

Founded by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Corpus Christi bears the distinction of being the only college in Oxford or Cambridge to be founded by the town citizens, rather than a royal, rich, or other important person. One of the college’s most famous assets is the Parker Library, named after Matthew Parker (1504-75), Master of the College and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Treasures include the earliest copy of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and a bound copy of the St Augustine Gospels from the 6th century. A special visit to the library will be made Former students of the college include the Elizabethan dramatist Christopher Marlowe, American author Christopher Isherwood, and the well-known seventeenth-century British archaeologist and antiquarian (and Druid advocate) Sir William Stukeley. Today the college is home to a very active, international community of 400 students (from all academic disciplines). The college is locate

Cost:

The cost of the month-long programme is $5400 The prince includes accommodation in single rooms at Corpus Christi College whilst in Cambridge, as well as accommodation on the various field trips. It includes all meals, tuition, internet access, special University facilities and all field trips (including travel) and admission costs. The cost does not include travel to and from Cambridge, insurance, entertainments or other optional activities. A number of part-scholarships of $1000 are offered