Prospectus

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Predictive modelling

Course
2017-2018

Admission requirements

Propedeuse (first year) Archaeology obtained. Knowledge and skills conform the BA2 course Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the BA2 course Data analysis.

Description

During this course you will apply your knowledge and skills in computer applications as obtained during the first and second year of the Archaeology bachelor. These skills will be applied in a realistic archaeological case study.

A desk assessment will be conducted for a small part on the Netherlands that combines two very characteristic Dutch landscapes: the Pleistocene moraine and the Holocene river areas.
Digital archaeological and environmental data will be collected, imported or digitised. Palaeogeographic reconstruction and archaeological find spots will be combined for several archaeological periods in order to interpret and predict the distribution patterns. The land use models should also include social factors.

Course objectives

  • Applying computers skills;

  • Knowledge about archaeological formation and deformation processes;

  • Regional spatial analysis based on find locations available in a national archaeological database (Archis);

  • Step-by-step experience in performing a desk assessment;

  • Ability to create, evaluate, describe and present archaeological predictive models.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the BA3 time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Practicals;

  • Written assignment (map and paper).

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 4 hours of lectures (introduction) + 52 hours of practicals (2 ec);

  • Approx. 100 p. literature (1 ec);

  • Written assignment approx. 3,000-3,600 words (2 ec).

Assessment method

  • Weekly blogs;

  • Mandatory attendance at practicals;

  • Digital map of the predictive model;

  • Report describing the production steps, choices and limitations of the predictive model.

A retake is only possible for the final report, but only if all other requirements, including the assignments, have been met.

All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the BA3 examination schedule.

Reading list

Will be provided by the lecturer, and will be supplemented with literature discovered by the students.

Registration

Registration for the course or the exam is not required.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact drs. M. Wansleeben.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.