Compulsory attendance
Yes.
Admission requirements
Degree students (including Dutch BA graduates): BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline.
SAP and Exchange Students: BA degree. Admission only after formal application.
Description
This is an interactive course around several aspects of prehistoric farming communities in North-Western Europe from the Early Neolithic to the Late Iron Age. Interactive means that half of each lecture session is dedicated to discussion, half to formal lecturing, generally by invited guest lecturers. This way students gain knowledge of and insight in interpretative approaches to data from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (e.g. megalithic monuments, beaker cultures, hoarding practices, Hallstatt Fürstengräber, settlement and economy, burial landscapes and social structure).
Students learn not to replicate interpretations of others without being aware of their theoretical background and inherent assumptions. They learn to formulate an argumented and informed opinion orally and in writing, and to discuss it. Each week students write a discussion paper about a literature assignment.
Course objectives
Knowledge of and insight in interpretative approaches to data from the Neolithic to the Iron Age;
Critical assessment of current research with respect to applicability and background;
Ability to voice one’s properly argumented opinion on these topics;
Knowledge of and insight in theoretical approaches;
Insight in the applicability of theoretical models on data;
Ability to formulate well-structured arguments orally, and in writing.
Timetable
Course schedules can be found in the MA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Formal lectures and discussion on the basis of written assignments.
Assessment method
Written weekly assignments (1,000 words each) with strict weekly deadlines
Participation in discussion.
Reading list
To be found on Blackboard.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contractonderwijs: all information (costs, registration, entry requirements, etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).
Contact information
For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr H. Fokkens.