ME3810 Monastic Scotland: History and Archaeology

2024 to 2025 Summer after graduation

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

This module is NOT available to students as part of any St Andrews degree programme.

Planned timetable

Lecture days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Lecture hours: 9-12 (Week 1-2 only)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof A I Beach

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Alison Beach

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This unique course offers you the opportunity to explore the history of medieval Scotland first-hand. In addition to classroom-based study of the history of medieval monasticism in Scotland, students will gain extensive hands-on training and experience in field excavation, lab-based bioarchaeology, archival work, and cultural heritage management. What will this course cover? • The origins of Christian monasticism and the medieval religious history of Scotland, St Andrews, and Lindores Abbey. • A deeper dive into medieval Scotland, including topics such as economic change and water-use in medieval Scotland, alongside field-work archaeological skills. Fieldwork Location: Archaeological field-work will take place at Lindores Abbey in central Scotland near Perth. Students will travel from the university residences to the site each day. Previous excavation experience is not required. Is this course right for me? This course is ideal for those who have studied History in some form at university and are looking for an immersive experience of Scotland’s history.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

10 Lectures in St Andrews (2/day for 2 weeks) 10 Seminars in St Andrews (1/day for 2 weeks) Field Work (8 hours/day for 3 weeks) Other contact hours: Field Trips in Scotland (20 hours) Evening lectures in Ireland (one per week, total 6 hours) Other student study hours: Group project work (5 hours per week)

Scheduled learning hours

109

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

To become familiar with the history of Scotland in the Middle Ages
To understand the fundamentals of Christian monasticism and its place in the religious, social, and economic landscapes of medieval Scotland
To learn the basic skills the archaeologist, including both excavation and the proper handling and documentation of finds
To work effectively in a team under a variety of challenging work and weather conditions