Admission requirements
None.
Description
Scientific methods, techniques and approaches are becoming increasingly important in modern archaeology in general, and it is at the heart of archaeological science in particular.
Methodological developments have allowed us to re-examine long-held theories about the human past, and to create new interpretations about crucial aspects of human behavior, such as migration, dietary changes, and urbanisation. However, each method has limitations and interpretations must be made with care.
This capstone course will task you with critically assessing a current archaeological issue or research question from different perspectives. Guest lectures will be given by experts in new and developing methods, during which you will present your analysis. You will then discuss how these advances relate to recent archaeological debates. You will need to explore beyond your own specialisation, and adopt an interdisciplinary view on research questions.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of methods commonly used in the archaeological sciences;
Synthesise the results from a variety of methods as they relate to an archaeological research question;
Critically assess the application of these methods for the understanding of an archaeological research question.
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
Five introductory lectures will present scientific methods used to explore past migrations. Students will complete an online module on presentation skills. Students will be assigned to groups which will then choose a particular migration to study throughout class. They will work in groups to find literature on applications of these (and other) methods to their migration, and then do a group presentation on how these methods answer the main question of “their” migration. The audience for each presentation will discuss the presentation within their groups, and will prepare questions for the presenting group.
Attendance of lectures, workgroups, and in-class presentations is mandatory and will be checked by a sign-in sheet. More than one unexcused absence will result in failing the class.
Assessment method
The final grade for the course is established by the following:
Literature summary: 25%
In-class presentation: 75%
Each student will prepare a short written assignment (the literature summary) after the introductory lectures in which they will have to identify sources that will then be used for the in-class presentation.
The final in-class presentation will be given in coordination with group members, but each student will present (and be graded) individually.
The student must receive a 5.5 or higher on both parts of the assessment in order to pass.
If the literature summary is failed, the students will have to submit a new summary within a week of receiving their grade.
If the in-class presentation is failed, the student will have to prepare an individual presentation on the same migration but on a different method than their original presentation. The retake presentation will be given directly to Dr. Henry in her office during the re-take period.
Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.
Reading list
Readings will be assigned during the course and made available via Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment for all components of your study programme through MyStudymap is mandatory. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.
General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.
Exchange en buitenlandse studenten kunnen contact opnemen met de exchange coördinator voor meer informatie over het aanmelden en inschrijven.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. A.G. (Amanda) Henry.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.