Forensic Archaeology and Genocide Investigation MSc

Module 1: Introduction to Genocide and Mass Violence.

Knowledge brings awareness, understanding and tolerance. On this module, you will be introduced to the history and evolution of genocide, its definition, and the legal aspects of mass violence and atrocity.  You will study acts of genocide from across the globe to develop an understanding of the events and the legacies that such acts left behind. Taught by active forensic archaeologists and genocide investigators, this module represents an important step in your development towards a career in conflict and forensic investigation.

Module 2: Archaeologies of Genocide and Mass Violence

Understand the past to build a better future. On this module, you will study the wide range of acts of violence and genocide perpetrated in the 20^th and 21^st centuries and learn to identify the types of evidence that such acts leave behind. You will be tasked with thinking critically about how complex landscapes are formed and how they evolve due to the actions of perpetrators, victims and bystanders in a variety of contexts. The module will challenge you to analyse sites of genocide from many disciplinary perspectives and it will equip you with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to identify and interpret a wide range of physical evidence. 

Module 3: Genocide Investigation: Search, Recovery and Analysis

Develop your competency through professional practice. On this module, you will study and gain practical experience of the wide range of methodologies used to investigate sites of genocide and mass violence. Taught by specialists in their field, you will learn about a range of state of the art technologies using in search, recovery and post-excavation, and apply them in mock scenarios.

Module 4: Field School: Practical Skills in Genocide Investigation

Gain practical experience of real-world casework. This module will give you the opportunity to put into practice the skills you have learnt on the Forensic Archaeology and Genocide Investigation degree program. You will be invited to join active forensic investigators from the Centre of Archaeology to carry out fieldwork one of their important research projects. You will gain practical experience of the wide range of methodologies used to investigate sites of genocide and mass violence. Taught by specialists in their field, you will use state of the art technologies. This module represents an important step in your development towards a career in conflict and forensic investigation. 

Module 5: Dissertation

Design and complete your own research project in forensic archaeology and genocide investigation. A dissertation is probably the longest piece of academic work you will complete. It will require effective project management, research, academic writing and data collation and analysis skills to complete on time. It is the one piece of work that is truly your own. Therefore, it will help you develop an in-depth understanding of a particular topic of genocide investigation whilst acquiring transferable skills in inter-personal communication, data collection and analysis, systematic analytical writing to present findings, and effective time-management. 

These modules enable you to:

• Study and understand the wide range of acts of violence and genocide perpetrated in the 20^th and 21^st centuries, and the landscapes and physical evidence connected to them
• Explore the ethical issues and challenges associated with forensic and archaeological investigations at sites of violence, conflict and genocide
• Understand and critically reflect upon the role and contribution of archaeologists in the investigation of conflict and genocide worldwide
• Critically evaluate the methods that can be employed by archaeologists working on sites related to past and current conflicts and genocide, especially intelligence gathering, remote sensing, geophysics and excavation 
• Apply a range of forensic archaeological methods during a dedicated field investigation and interpret the results. 
• Evidence your understanding of the complex ways in which genocide and mass violence affects societies, communities and individuals in the short, medium and long-term
• Apply appropriate research skills and demonstrate communicative and evidencing skills [for individual assignments] appropriate to Masters level

The dissertation will enable you to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research methods including project planning, data collection and research ethics   
• Evidence the integration of elements of your learning from the programme as a whole to research a theme or topic associated with forensic archaeology and genocide investigation 
• Display competence in applying research skills to collect and analysis primary and/or secondary data and sources 
• Demonstrate cognizance of methodological approaches to forensic archaeology and genocide investigation, focusing particularly on the analysis of data derived during desk-based research and practical fieldwork.

Module 1: Introduction to Genocide and Mass Violence.

Knowledge brings awareness, understanding and tolerance. On this module, you will be introduced to the history and evolution of genocide, its definition, and the legal aspects of mass violence and atrocity.  You will study acts of genocide from across the globe to develop an understanding of the events and the legacies that such acts left behind. Taught by active forensic archaeologists and genocide investigators, this module represents an important step in your development towards a career in conflict and forensic investigation.

Module 2: Archaeologies of Genocide and Mass Violence

Understand the past to build a better future. On this module, you will study the wide range of acts of violence and genocide perpetrated in the 20^th and 21^st centuries and learn to identify the types of evidence that such acts leave behind. You will be tasked with thinking critically about how complex landscapes are formed and how they evolve due to the actions of perpetrators, victims and bystanders in a variety of contexts. The module will challenge you to analyse sites of genocide from many disciplinary perspectives and it will equip you with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to identify and interpret a wide range of physical evidence. 

Module 3: Genocide Investigation: Search, Recovery and Analysis

Develop your competency through professional practice. On this module, you will study and gain practical experience of the wide range of methodologies used to investigate sites of genocide and mass violence. Taught by specialists in their field, you will learn about a range of state of the art technologies using in search, recovery and post-excavation, and apply them in mock scenarios.

Module 4: Field School: Practical Skills in Genocide Investigation

Gain practical experience of real-world casework. This module will give you the opportunity to put into practice the skills you have learnt on the Forensic Archaeology and Genocide Investigation degree program. You will be invited to join active forensic investigators from the Centre of Archaeology to carry out fieldwork one of their important research projects. You will gain practical experience of the wide range of methodologies used to investigate sites of genocide and mass violence. Taught by specialists in their field, you will use state of the art technologies. This module represents an important step in your development towards a career in conflict and forensic investigation. 

Module 5: Dissertation

Design and complete your own research project in forensic archaeology and genocide investigation. A dissertation is probably the longest piece of academic work you will complete. It will require effective project management, research, academic writing and data collation and analysis skills to complete on time. It is the one piece of work that is truly your own. Therefore, it will help you develop an in-depth understanding of a particular topic of genocide investigation whilst acquiring transferable skills in inter-personal communication, data collection and analysis, systematic analytical writing to present findings, and effective time-management. 

These modules enable you to:

• Study and understand the wide range of acts of violence and genocide perpetrated in the 20^th and 21^st centuries, and the landscapes and physical evidence connected to them
• Explore the ethical issues and challenges associated with forensic and archaeological investigations at sites of violence, conflict and genocide
• Understand and critically reflect upon the role and contribution of archaeologists in the investigation of conflict and genocide worldwide
• Critically evaluate the methods that can be employed by archaeologists working on sites related to past and current conflicts and genocide, especially intelligence gathering, remote sensing, geophysics and excavation 
• Apply a range of forensic archaeological methods during a dedicated field investigation and interpret the results. 
• Evidence your understanding of the complex ways in which genocide and mass violence affects societies, communities and individuals in the short, medium and long-term
• Apply appropriate research skills and demonstrate communicative and evidencing skills [for individual assignments] appropriate to Masters level

The dissertation will enable you to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research methods including project planning, data collection and research ethics   
• Evidence the integration of elements of your learning from the programme as a whole to research a theme or topic associated with forensic archaeology and genocide investigation 
• Display competence in applying research skills to collect and analysis primary and/or secondary data and sources 
• Demonstrate cognizance of methodological approaches to forensic archaeology and genocide investigation, focusing particularly on the analysis of data derived during desk-based research and practical fieldwork.