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Advanced Studies in Palaeoecology and Quaternary Stratigraphy

Vak
2018-2019

Admission requirements

  • BA or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline;

  • Admission to the RMA Archaeology programme or equivalent.

Description

This course will summarise the methods and techniques employed by archaeo-/palaeo-botanists and zoologists when reconstructing past environments (including climate) or when considering how hominins or humans exploited various components of the ecosystems they inhabited during the Quaternary. In addition, the geological history and the stratigraphical subdivision of the Quaternary will be presented and discussed.
The topic of the essays is assigned to the candidate.

This course will be attended by both MA and RMSc-students. Although participating in the same lectures, the assignments for the RMSc students will be different. They will write a different type of essay, in which the topic is studied in more depth, critically reviewed and new directions for research are formulated.

Course objectives

  • Knowledge of the methods and techniques used by archaeo-/palaeo-botanists and zoologists;

  • Understanding of how these methods and techniques are used by archaeologists to generate data (direct or proxy) that answer specific research questions;

  • Awareness of the limitations of each method or technique when applied to answering archaeological research questions;

  • To understand that a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving is desirable;

  • Knowledge of the geological history and stratigraphical subdivision of the Quaternary;

  • To understand that it is fundamental to put archaeology in an ecological and chronological context;

  • Ability to select and critically evaluate relevant literature;

  • Ability to critically review the significance of current research;

  • Ability to report such reviews in writing in an essay;

  • Ability to formulate innovative new directions of research.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the RMA and RMSc time schedule.

Mode of instruction

Lectures.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 7×2 hours of lectures (1 ec);

  • 280 pages of literature (2 ec);

  • 2 thematic essays (c. 1,500 words each) presenting the discussion of a theme supported by case studies (2 ec).

Assessment method

  • Written examination (50%);

  • 2 essays (50%).

Compensation between the individual grades is allowed, provided that at least one essay is a pass and the lowest grade is at least 4.5, conform Faculty regulations.

A retake of the exam or papers is only allowed when all requirements have been met and a first version of the papers has been submitted.

See BlackBoard for the essay deadlines, the exam date can be found in the RMA and RMSc examination schedule.

Reading list

To be announced on BlackBoard.

Registration

Registration via uSis is mandatory.

  • The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).

  • BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.

  • The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. L. (Laura) Llorente Rodriguez or dr. M.H. (Mike) Field.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.