Admission requirements
Admission to one of the MSc or MA programmes of the Faculty of Archaeology (this course is open to all Archaeology MA and MSc students).
Description
Objects are intimately connected with the social and ideational aspects of society.
The course will start with 2 introductory lectures on central concepts in material culture theory, focusing on raw material procurement, production techniques, use and discard.
For each stage in the artefact’s life history, current theoretical concepts and analytical approaches will be discussed. The course will then focus on the theme of craft and craft organisation and will also involve presentations of students, museum visits and some film viewings.
Course objectives
To obtain insight into the various research questions that can be asked regarding the meaning of material culture for past societies;
Knowledge of the various theoretical concepts that are important in material culture studies and ability to discuss them in a critical manner;
Basic knowledge of the analytical techniques available to operationalise these concepts, especially regarding the reconstruction of the life history of artefacts;
Ability to apply the concepts to a case study related to the central theme of the course, craft, and presenting this in class.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
discuss theoretical and methodological approaches concerning craft, skills, craft organisation;
investigate their own case study related to the central themes of the course, by applying current methods and theoretical concepts;
present the results of their work in class.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA and MSc time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lectures;
Presentations;
Museum visits.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
14 hours of lectures and presentations (1 ec);
Preparation of the presentation and museum visit (1 ec);
140 pages of literature (1 ec);
Essay of ca. 3,000 words (2 ec).
Assessment method
Paper (60%);
Presentation (40%).
There will be one final result and the average of the parts will be taken as a pass. There will only be a retake for the paper. If the oral presentation is a fail, this needs to be compensated by the paper.
All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the MA and MSc examination schedule.
Reading list
To be announced.
Registration
Registration via uSis is mandatory.
The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).
BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.
The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.
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 this course, please contact prof. dr. A.L. (Annelou) van Gijn.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.