Prospectus

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Orientation seminar

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Participation in the Honours College Track Archaeology.

Description

Archaeology and Society: Current Issues

This orientation seminar, Archaeology and Society: Current Issues, introduces the main theme of the Archaeology Honours track by exploring the multi-faceted aspects of archaeological research, as well as its relevance in the scope of societal outreach.

Each lecture focuses on a specific current issue, including politics, environment and sustainability, decolonisation, science communication, and heritage rescue.
Through the main lectures and additional guest speakers you get to engage with experts from around the world and discuss applied methods, possible solutions, and the long-term relevance of knowledge sharing. Attention is paid especially to recent and on-going research projects and societal programs in Central Asia and East Africa.

For Archaeology students, this Honours course will expand the scope of their regular curriculum. For students from other faculties, it provides a solid introduction not only to the field of archaeology, but especially to its interdisciplinary relevance and wider impacts. Class discussions and debate among students are encouraged.

Course set-up

The course consists of 7 double lectures.
All details and readings will be announced in the official course syllabus, which is provided for students at the very start of the course.

Course objectives

  • To gain knowledge about archaeological research and why it is relevant to societies today;

  • To learn how to engage with current issues ranging from political contexts to sustainability yand heritage management;

  • To exchange ideas (theory and practice) with researchers of active archaeological and communicative projects;

  • To expand academic skills, including team work, debate, and creative solutions.

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

  • Main lectures, with much attention for class debate;

  • Interactive museum excursion;

  • Assignments and a final Essay Exam.

Assessment method

  • Exam is an Essay (70%);

  • Additional assignments submitted via Brightspace (30%).

Assessment deadlines

Deadlines for assignments will be posted on Brightspace.

Reading list

All details and readings will be announced in the official course syllabus, which is provided for students at the very start of the course.

Registration

See 'Contact'.

General information about registration can be found on the Honours College: Archaeology & Society page

Contact

For more information about this course and registration, please contact dr. M.E.J.J. (Marike) van Aerde.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.