Admission requirements
None.
Description
This is a course in which key developments in prehistoric Europe will be discussed; taking place between the 7th and the end of the 1st millennium BC. Themes that are addressed include the emergence of farming in Europe, the deep history of migration, the rise of social complexity, the spread of metallurgy, ethnogenesis (Celts, Germans, Scythians), and the legacy of prehistory in modern Europe.
The course will focus on how to reflect on and encapsulate such broad issues in regional terms, how they relate to practical research, and if/how they play a role in debates in contemporary society. The lectures will be closely linked to current research of our section members.
This is an interactive course, which means that part of each lecture session is dedicated to a discussion on the basis of literature and an assignment and during the other part the broader background is presented.
You will write two short essays throughout the course in which you try to answer/explore the question that has been posed about the literature. You will peer-review each other's short essays, providing each other feedback and learning from one another. At the end, you write a long essay on a theme of your own choice, reflecting on a particular research question.
This way you will build your knowledge of and insight into the most fundamental interpretative themes of European prehistory and you will be trained to formulate your own views on them.
Due to its broad perspective, the course is not only of interest to students who plan a future career in the archaeology of prehistoric Europe, but also to students who are interested in links between the Mediterranean and Near East on the one hand and ‘Barbaric’ Europe on the other.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Describe and discuss key developments in European prehistory from the Neolithic to the Iron Age;
Critically assess current research on European prehistory;
Evaluate the applicability of theoretical models on data;
Connect broad research themes to regional and local fieldwork/material culture studies or heritage issues related to prehistory;
Discuss and justify their opinion on these topics orally and in writing;
Formulate well-structured arguments orally and in writing;
Assess peer work and compose constructive feedback.
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
Formal lectures;
Discussion based on written assignments.
Assessment method
2 short assignments (500 words each) (50%);
Final essay (1,800-2,000 words) (50%).
A retake is only possible for the final essay, and only if all other requirements have been met, including attendance and submission of all assignments.
Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.
The assignments have strict weekly deadlines. The final essay is due a week after the course ends.
A retake is only possible for the final essay; and only if all other requirements have been met; including attendance and submission of all assignments.
Reading list
The reading list will be published on Brightspace.
Registration
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please contact the exchange coordinator for information on how to apply.
General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact Dr. N.Ø. (Nathalie) Brusgaard.