Admission requirements
Admission to the Research Master Archaeology programme;
BA degree in Archaeology, preferably with a focus on Near Eastern Archaeology, Mediterranean Archaeology and/or (post-)Medieval Archaeology.
Description
This course explores various aspects of the ‘crusading phenomenon’ in the Mediterranean and the Near East, ranging from the Norman conquest of Sicily and southern Italy (1000-1130 C.E.) to the fall of Akko in the Holy Land (1291 C.E.), as well as some later long-term developments.
The aim is to address how we can study the Crusades from an archaeological perspective, and what the archaeological data can tell us about the nature of these events, and their impact on society.
Some specific archaeological case studies will be discussed, among which events in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, the island of Cyprus and the Aegean region.
One meeting consists of a hands-on material practical during which you will get acquainted with Crusader ceramics from the Mediterranean and the Near East.
Students will be expected to read the relevant literature weekly and take an active part during the course, both in class presentations, discussions and in the writing of short summaries each week.
RMA-students participate in the same sessions as the MA-students, but their assignments will differ.
Each RMA-student will be asked to organise, lead and review one session discussion. Furthermore, they will write a different type of final essay, in which one theme from the course is studied in more depth, and new directions for research are being formulated. RMA-students are thus expected to develop their arguments within a wider comparative and theoretical framework.
Course objectives
The main objective is to examine the political, religious, socio-economic and cultural changes associated with the Crusades that took place in the East between ca. 1000-1500 C.E.;
Students will gain knowledge of the key issues in the archaeology of the Crusades;
Students will learn to critically evaluate what archaeology can add to studies of the Crusades;
Students will learn to critically compare weaknesses and strengths of the presented literature;
Students will be able to present a clear oral report, of such a quality that it is fit for a public of international specialists and peers;
Students will be able to organise, lead and review theme discussions;
Students will be able to formulate new directions of research for their chosen theme and develop their arguments within a wider comparative and theoretical framework.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.
Mode of instruction
The course starts with an introduction by the lecturer. The successive meetings will include a short presentation by students on themes which will be explored during the seminar.
Students will be asked to read the mandatory literature prior to each meeting, and submit weekly short summaries one day before class.
In the first part of the meeting the (guest) lecturer will present further background to the theme of the class. Subsequently students will give short presentations, followed by a general group discussion on the theme(s) presented.
Assessment method
Active participation in the class discussions, reading of assigned literature and submission of short summaries (10%);
Organisation and review of theme discussions & quality of presentation (40%);
Final essay of 3,000 words, showing new directions of research (50%).
All essays must be submitted through Turnitin or Brightspace, and only on-time Turnitin/Brightspace submissions count.
A retake is only possible for the final essay, and is only allowed if all other requirements have been met and a serious and complete first final essay has been submitted.
A retake consists of a single longer essay (4,000 words) on a topic of the course, to be chosen by the course coordinator, which needs to be written in 2 weeks.
There will be feedback on the presentations a week after the last class.
Assessment deadlines
All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button. To view the assessment deadline(s), make sure to select the course with a code ending in T and/or R.
Weekly summaries need to be handed in at the end of every lecture week via Turnitin/Brightspace.
Reading list
The reading list will be distributed via Brightspace, 2 weeks prior to the first meeting.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudymap is mandatory.
General information about registration can be found on the Course and Exam Enrolment page.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr. J.A.C. (Joanita) Vroom.
Remarks
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended. Attendance and active participation influence grading.