Admission requirements
BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline.
SAP and exchange students: admission after approval by the Graduate School of Archaeology.
Description
This is an interactive course around several aspects of prehistoric farming communities, starting from the Early Neolithic to the Late Iron Age. Interactive means that half of each lecture session is dedicated to discussion, half to more formal lecturing. This way students gain knowledge of and insight in interpretative approaches to data from the Neolithicum to the Iron Age (megalithic monuments, beaker cultures, hoarding practices, Hallstatt Fürstengräber, settlement and economy, burial landscapes and social structure). Students learn not to replicate interpretations of others without being aware of their theoretical background and inherent assumptions. They learn to formulate an argumented and informed opinion orally and in writing, and to discuss it. Each week students write a discussion paper about a literature assignment.
Learning objectives
Knowledge of and insight in interpretative approaches to data from the Neolithic to the Iron Age
Critical assessment of current research with respect to applicability and background
Voice one’s well-argumented opinion on these topics
Knowledge of and insight in theoretical approaches
Insight in the applicability of theoretical model on data
Well structured arguments orally and in writing.
Method of instruction
Formal lectures and discussion on the basis of written assignments.
Examination
Active participation, written assignments.