Prospectus

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Research in Mesoamerica and the Andes

Course
2011-2012

Compulsory attendance

Yes.

Admission requirements

BA (or equivalent) in Archaeology or another relevant discipline.

Description

This course gives a chronological, geographical, historical, cultural and artistic overview of Mesoamerica, with critical assessment and interpretation. Students will read several representative articles (provided) before each class and provide discussion points and analytic observation for plenary discussion during class.

Course objectives

  • Overview knowledge of current research and debates in the Archaeology and Anthropology of Mesoamerica, with ability to critically assess the literature and voice one’s well-argumented opinion;

  • Improved ability to critically summarise and analyse articles (define author’s key-arguments, pros and cons of the author’s opinion, etc.), find extra relevant literature and present this via a PowerPoint presentation and ability to handle a stimulating discussion afterwards;

  • Improved ability to write a paper on the seminar subject, with expression of a critical assessment of the literature and one’s own well-argumented opinion, making use of the feedback received with the presentation.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.
Exam dates can be found in the examination schedule.

Mode of instruction

Seminar.

Assessment method

  • Active participation (to be graded after each class)

  • Final paper (max. 2,000 words), to be handed in 21 days after the end of the course.

Reading list

Before starting the seminar: refresh your overview knowledge by studying the BA literature on this subject, i.e. S.T. Evans, Ancient Mexico and Central America: Archaeology and Culture History. New York: Thames and Hudson (2008).
See Blackboard for more literature and the assignments.

Registration

Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.

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 mw A. Rojas.