Admission requirements
World Archaeology 1.2 obtained;
This is a seminar with a limited number of participants (20 students), for Archaeology students exclusively;
BA3 students who want to take this course: please contact the Administration Office. You can only be admitted if there are spots left, BA2 students will have priority.
Description
This course provides an overview of the archaeology and cultural history of the eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age (LBA).
The LBA is a period of increased connectivity in the eastern Mediterranean, with large empires, influential city states, and large kingdoms co-existing in a complex system of cultural and economic interactions.
In this seminar we will examine this truly connected world and the fragile power balance between the different polities. We will explore each different polity independently, but also in relation with its close and distant neighbours, and we will review the theories and arguments behind the so-called LBA Collapse.
There will be dedicated classes on: the Mycenaean world; Cyprus; Egypt; The Hittites; Western Asia Minor; the Levant and Assyria.
Course set-up
A critical introduction on the archaeology and cultural history of the specific polity will be provided during the first part of the class. Then students will be split into groups to discuss the topic (1 hour), which will be followed by class activities based on these discussions (1 hour).
Course objectives
To gain an overview of the archaeology and cultural history of the LBA in the Eastern Mediterranean;
To gain insights into the past and present academic discourse and debates around the LBA Eastern Mediterranean;
Develop a critical analytical framework for the assessment of key issues in the archaeology of the LBA Eastern Mediterranean;
Develop teamwork skills for academic output;
Develop a creative mindset for the assessment of archaeological evidence.
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
Lectures;
Group discussions;
Group assignments.
Assessment method
The assessment will be based 100% on assignments that include weekly group assignments and a final group project.
The final assessment method will be co-designed with the seminar participants in the first week of the course.
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.
Deadlines for assignments will be included in the course syllabus.
Reading list
A list of readings is provided one week prior to the start of the course.
Registration
Registration start dates for the BA2 seminars differ from the registration dates of the regular courses.
Registration will take place with the use of forms. These will be e-mailed by the study advisers to all BA2 students and pre-master students at the beginning of October 2023.
The Administration Office will register all Archaeology BA2 students in uSis for their seminar exams. However, confirmation of these exams in MyStudymap is mandatory. No confirmation = no participation!
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. A. (Aris) Politopoulos.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance. Attendance will be administrated by each lecturer. Students can miss no more than one class.