Sutton Hoo



Overview

This course will look at the archaeology of the Anglo-Saxon period, concentrating on one of the most important and exciting burials at Sutton Hoo. We will particularly examine the excavation, recent analysis of the finds and the ship that was found in the grave. Who was buried at Sutton Hoo? Where did he come from? We will also look at the settlement, art and literature of the period.

The highlight of the course will be an all-day coach trip to Sutton Hoo and West Stow village, near Felixstowe, taking the place of 2 lectures. The cost of the coach will be additional to the cost of the course. Sutton Hoo is a National Trust site, so those with membership will not need to pay admission. Prices for others are £15.20. Admission to West Stow is £9 adults. There is an excellent café at Sutton Hoo, and full facilities.

Programme details

Course begins: 24 January 2025    

Week 1: Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

Week 2: Sutton Hoo: discovery and excavation

Week 3: Sutton Hoo: the grave

Week 4: Sutton Hoo: the artifacts

Week 5: Sutton Hoo: the boat

Week 6: Anglo-Saxon settlements

Week 7: Old English literature 

Week 8: Trip to Sutton Hoo and West Stow. Friday 14th March

Week 9: Concluding lecture

Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Jennifer Foster

Jennifer Foster is an archaeologist who has specialised in the study of artefacts. She has worked at the British and Ashmolean Museums. She has been teaching archaeology to continuing education students for 30 years.

Course aims

This course aims to explore the excavation and finds at Sutton Hoo and place the site in its context.

Course Objectives

1. Look in depth at the Sutton Hoo burial

2. Set the site in the Anglo-Saxon context

3. Examine Sutton Hoo and West Stow in its landscape

 

Teaching methods

Teaching will be by lectures, with power point presentations. Students are encouraged to participate and there will be plenty of discussion. Students need have no previous knowledge of archaeology to attend this course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1. Describe the grave goods at Sutton Hoo

2. Discuss the site in its context

3. Take notes in the field

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on a field trip notebook on the field trip to Sutton Hoo and West Stow.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee for each course you enrol on. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an application form.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support