Dear Colleagues
 
At the University of Leicester we are starting a new MA course in the ARCHAEOLOGY OF FOOD.
I would be very grateful if you could print the information below and put it up somewhere prominantly in your department/university. Please could you also bring it to the attention of students who might be interested.
 
Thanks very much,
Marijke van der Veen

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Dr. Marijke van der Veen
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology
School of Archaeology & Ancient History
University of Leicester
Leicester LE1 7RH
UK



A NEW MA/Diploma  in THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FOOD 


Course content
Food is both a biological and a social need for all human societies. This new MA provides a unique and exciting programme of study for understanding the archaeology of food. It aims to produce graduates who appreciate the need for an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of food, and who have the necessary skills to carry out such study. It combines existing archaeological approaches to the study of food remains (archaeobotany and archaeozoology) with anthropological and social approaches, by studying food as material culture. The focus is on both consumption and production, using case studies from around the world. In short, the course concerns the meeting of biology and culture.

Course modules
Food as Material Culture	
Food in Past Societies
Archaeobotany
Archaeozoology
Environmental Archaeology
one option course
Dissertation (for MA students)
Skills in Information Technology

Teaching and assessment
Teaching is by a combination of lectures, seminars, practicals (laboratory work), and individual research. Students are encouraged to develop their presentation and communication skills through oral presentations and practical reports. Assessment of taught modules is through essays and project work (including group work). MA students write a 15,000-word dissertation.

Entry requirements
Normally a good upper second class Honours degree in Archaeology, Ancient History or a cognate subject (Anthropology, History, Geography or Biological Sciences) or the equivalent for non-UK applicants. Candidates without formal training in Archaeology are welcomed, but may be required to take all or part of the Certificate in Archaeology by Distance Learning and they are recommended to contact the course director at the earliest opportunity. Applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered subject to the quality of their undergraduate dissertation and satisfactory references. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Duration and mode of study  (starting date September 2003)
One year full-time or two years part-time. Candidates interested in PhD research in the subject area are also encouraged to contact the course director.

Contacts and further information
Dr Marijke van der Veen
Course Director
School of Archaeology & Ancient History
University of Leicester
University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Tel.: +44 (0)116 252 2611/2615	
Fax: +44 (0)116 252 5005	
e-mail: [log in to unmask] or	
Pam Thornett, the School Secretary	
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.le.ac.uk/archaeology/