Admission requirements
Admission to the Research Master Archaeology programme.
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;
Argue how a variety of methods contribute to the state-of-the-art 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
Weekly lectures, each on a new topic.
Weekly workgroups in which you discuss and summarize paper related to that week’s topic.
Preparation of a group presentation
Final written summary.
Attendance of lectures, workgroups, and in-class presentation is mandatory. More than one unexcused absence will result in failing the class.
Assessment method
The final grade for the course is established by the following:
In-class group discussions (assessed based on written summaries and direct observation) (5 discussions, 4% of final grade each, in total: 20%);
Final in-class presentation (50%);
Final essay (30%).
The group discussions will be graded based on both content and communication style. RMA students will be graded on the chairing of the discussion during at least 1 session
The final in-class presentation will be given in coordination with group members, but each student will present (and be graded) individually;
The final essay will represent and reflect each individual student’s own contribution;
For the final essay, RMA students are excepted to synthesise and integrate all relevant sources of evidence concerning the entire debate for their specific case study.
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
To be announced.
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.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. A.G. (Amanda) Henry.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.