New GCEs for 2008
GCE Archaeology (2010)
Timeline news letter
Keep up to date with the current specifications and latest developments in our newsletter for History, Archaeology and Classical Civilisation teachers.
Introduction
Introducing AQA's new course specification for Archaeology for AS and A Level. This new redrafted specification has been designed to:
- provide the ultimate subject for an ‘all rounder’, combining elements of many other academic disciplines, such as science, art, technology, geography, history, sociology and religious studies
- allow teachers a wide choice of topics, which together will form a coherent study of the past
- cover techniques of and approaches to modern archaeological research.
The following information and specification outline will enable both practising Teachers and Subject Heads to be better informed and supported in the teaching of this subject, particularly if attending one of AQA's Teacher Support meetings.
Classification Codes
Every specification is assigned a national classification code indicating the subject area to which it belongs. The classification code for this specification is 4730.
Centres should be aware that candidates who enter for more than one GCE AS/A level qualification with the same classification code will have only one grade (the highest) counted for the purpose of the School and College Performance Tables.
Centres may wish to advise candidates that, if they take two specifications with the same classification code, universities and employers are very likely to take the view that they have achieved only one of the two GCE AS/A levels. The same view may be taken if candidates take two GCE AS/A level specifications that have different classification codes but have significant overlap of content. Candidates who have any doubts about their subject combinations should check with the university to which they wish to progress or company they wish to join, before embarking on their programmes.
Assessment Objectives
The Assessment objectives are common to AS and A Level.
AO1 - An understanding of archaeological skills and methods, including; the range of sources and techniques used by archaeologists to investigate the archaeological record and how archaeological data are analysed and interpreted. Practical application of archaeological skills and methods, including abstraction, interpretation and translation of archaeological material and data, interaction with the archaeological record, effective communication using archaeological terminology and conventions.
AO2 - A knowledge and understanding of archaeological data, strengths and weaknesses of archaeological interpretations, key themes and ideas in world archaeology, the nature of and factors affecting continuity and change in the past.