Prospectus

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Where do Archaeological theories come from?

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Admission to the Research Master Archaeology programme.

Description

In this course, students investigate where archaeological theories come from and how they are used:

  • The philosophies of science and epistemologies in which they are anchored (basics);

  • The archaeological orientations and branches in which they are used (the past 50 years);

  • Their strengths and weaknesses (critical debate);

  • The way they are operationalized in archaeological research (examples).

We start with an exploration of realism, internal realism and constructivism in science and philosophy. From there, some key questions from archaeology are critically discussed, such as:
1. What is explanation and how do we do it? (hypotheses, theories and models);
2. What is the role of excavation, taphonomy and observation? (archaeology as an empirical science);
3. What is interpretation? (archaeology as hermeneutics);
4. How do we “approach” and conceptualize an artefact and what is material agency? (perspectives);
5. What is the Third Science Revolution? (trends);
6. Can archaeology contribute to a better world? (perspectives; ethics).

Course objectives

  • To provide insight in the main theoretical orientations in archaeology and their philosophical and (inter)disciplinary foundations.

  • To provide clues for using theoretical and methodological principles in the students’ own research.

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

The course consists of a combination of lectures, debates (tutorials) and assignments (including a final essay), including a methodological reflection on the student’s own research and project.
Instead a final essay, the supervisor and students could also opt for a joint product, depending on the outcome of the critical debates.

Lectures and tutorials demand the study of literature relating to:
1. Philosophical reflections;
2. Discipline-specific reflections & opinions (archaeology, anthropology, etc.);
3. Case studies.

Lectures and tutorials are compulsory, 1 of each may be missed but the reason should be known to the supervisor.

Assessment method

Assessment is based on:
1. Attendance (20%);
2. Contribution to the debates during tutorials (20%);
3. Assignments (take home) for each session of lecture + tutorial during weeks 2-6 (n=5) (20%);
4. Final essay or contribution to the joint product (40%).

Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable.. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.

Reading list

To be announced.

Registration

Enrolment for all components of your study programme through MyStudymap is mandatory. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.

General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr. J.C.A. (Jan) Kolen.

Remarks