Admission requirements
This course is open to students of Archaeology, Humanities, Social Sciences or other relevant disciplines.
Description
This course will focus on archaeological research in the Americas, paying attention to social, cultural, economic and political dynamics influencing archaeological sites and present-day indigenous societies. It will explore collaborative and intercultural ways of research praxis on the ground, while searching for socially engaged research. The sessions, in the form of lectures and debates, will revolve around the question: What is the significance of archaeological heritage for present-day societies in the Americas?
To answer the question, specific case studies from - though not restricted to - the Maya region will be presented to stimulate academic reflections on present-day Maya concerns. Holistic approaches will allow exploring the potentialities of cultural continuity on the interpretation of Maya architecture and ceremonial spaces/landscapes.
At the same time, cultural continuities (manifest in contemporary rituals and narratives) will be framed in their own endangered realities to better understand the current situation of heritage for the Maya region and by extent for the Americas.
Students will be encouraged to develop critical reflections in a series of scholarly debates in class, and it will form the basis of a final paper.
Course objectives
Ability to critically assess literature and argue one’s position;
Maintain a discussion on the basis of the assigned literature and case studies;
Learn to work in a team setting;
Ability to carry out a modest independent research in a team setting;
Convincingly present research results orally in a team setting;
Ability to write and present and academic paper.
Time schedule
Course schedule details can be found in the bachelor 3 time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, literature and assignments.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
14 hours of lecture;
250 pages of literature.
Assessment method
Critical literature review (20%);
Final paper (80%).
The retake consists of writing an essay.
All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.
Reading list
Montejo, V. D. (2005), Maya Intellectual Renaissance: Identity, Representation, and Leadership (1st ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press;
Jones, L. (1993a), "The Hermeneutics of Sacred Architecture: A Reassessment of the Similitude between Tula, Hidalgo and Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Part I", in: History of Religions, 32(3), 207–232;
Jones, L. (1993b), "The Hermeneutics of Sacred Architecture: A Reassessment of the Similitude between Tula, Hidalgo and Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Part II", in: History of Religions, 32(4), 315–342;
Other literature to be defined during the course.
Registration
Registration for the course is not necessary, registration for the exam is mandatory. For instructions, see the Registration in uSis page.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Registration 'Contractonderwijs'
All information (costs, registration, entry requirements, etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).
Contact
For more information about his course, please contact dr. M. May Castillo.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.