Compulsory attendance
Yes
Admission requirements
Bachelor’s degree obtained, admission to the RMA-programme.
Description
This is one of the central RMA seminars which the student may choose within the RMA track ‘Religion and Society’ (the other option being the seminar directed by Prof. Hofman: “Communicating Communities”, on the Caribbean). This RMA seminar is connected to ongoing ERC- and NWO-funded projects on:
Mesoamerican iconography and cultural heritage (e.g. continuity and changes in concepts, symbolism, ritual practices, and social function of the calendar), and
the archaeological and linguistic connections between Mesoamerica and the Andes (including archaeological fieldwork in Nicaragua).
Both imply a profound interest in cultural continuity and an interdisciplinary analysis of archaeological, iconographical, historical, anthropological and linguistic data. In this context RMA-students and PhD-candidates work together on their own research, discussing theoretical aspects and other issues relevant for their thesis.
Course objectives
Knowledge of and insight in setting up, structuring and executing of scientific research projects, on the base of detailed knowledge of the reelvant period, region, research problems, recent literature and current issues under consideration;
Insight in how high-ranking international research is conducted;
Critical assessment of current research and publications with respect to applicability and background;
Express one’s well-argumented opinion on these topics in discussion;
Ability to design and conduct research and generate new knowledge;
Insight in the applicability of theoretical concepts and models on archaeological, historical and anthropological data;
Oral presentation of research;
Development of well argumented texts on research;
Critical review of one‘s own research and that of fellow students in a constructive manner.
Ects distribution
The course load will be distributed as follows: ….
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the Research Master time schedule.
Mode of instruction
A seminar with student’s reports, commenting on the structure of research and thesis, with analytic discussion of recent publications. In addition students attend the guest lectures (to be announced during the year), as well as an international symposium, workshop or congress, to be selected in consultation with their thesis supervisor.
Assessment method
Active participation in the seminar;
Written and oral assignments, including analytical presentation of recent literature related to the topic of the thesis (book-review);
Report on congress attendance;
Research proposal.
Assessment deadline
Assignments and papers should have been handed in before the end of the examination week following the course block.
Exam dates and assessment deadlines can be found in the examination schedule
Reading list
Partly indicated during the seminar, partly to be identified by the students themselves.
Registration
Register for this course through uSis
Exchange and Study Abroad students: please see the Prospective Students website for information on how to apply.
All information (costs, registration, entry requirements etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent you will find on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).
Contact information
For more information about this course, please contact dr. M.E.R.G.N. Jansen
Remarks
This course will be taught in both English and Spanish