Admission requirements
World Archaeology 2 and World Archaeology 3.1 obtained.
Description
This course explores the archaeology of early empires in West Asia and Europe, focusing on West Asian, Roman and post-Roman Empires.
After an introduction of definitions, theories, and approaches, the case studies will be presented. The focus is on empires that profoundly changed the course of history in West Asia and the Mediterranean, and which heavily influenced later empires that emerged in their wake.
These early empires were at the basis of new social contracts; including the development of slavery and serfdom at scales previously unknown, new intensive forms of agriculture and the burgeoning of international trade, the development of metropoles of unprecedented size, new forms of administrative control and new religions and ideologies.
The course takes a comparative perspective, and discusses imperial trajectories primarily through archaeological datasets, which tend to be much more heterogeneous and dynamic than historical reconstructions usually allow for.
Course set-up
Students study the class readings in preparation of the class, and prepare at least two questions on these readings that should be submitted through Brightspace in advance of each session. This also applies to the first session.
The classes consists of two-hour lectures. In addition; two group assignments will allow students to delve deeper into the material and practice their writing skills.
Course objectives
Gain general knowledge of early empires in Western Asia and the Mediterranean and their key characteristics;
Gain insight into the social, economic and cultural impact of empires, for the subjected peoples and areas as well as the imperial societies themselves;
Ability to critically evaluate models and theories applied by archaeologists when investigating empires;
Gain insight into agricultural, economic and logistical practices of empires;
Gain insight into ideological and religious repertoires in imperial states;
Ability to critically read and review an academic paper or other type of resource;
Ability to concisely report such reviews in written format.
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
Self-study (reading and critically evaluating set articles);
Self-study (group work for written assignments);
Lectures.
Assessment method
Active participation/cooperation in class/group (pass or fail: a fail will automatically disqualify you from the exam). This will be based on participation in weekly in-class quizzes, and submission of questions on readings that show reflection on the papers (at least 6 out 7 should be done in each category)
Take-home examination/assignment (group work, graded by lecturers) (40%)
Final exam (60%).
Attendance is compulsory in class and for the tutorials. Failure to attend on multiple sessions will normally result in a fail.
There will be a scheduled resit for the exam only. Information is included in MyTimetable.
Exam review will be possible upon request within 30 days of the results being published.
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
The reading list will be distributed through Brightspace, in advance of the start of the class.
Registration
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please contact the exchange coordinator for information on how to apply.
General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact Dr. A.T. ten Harkel or dr. J.L. Swerida.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance. Failure to miss more than 1 session will usually result in exclusion from the exam. This measure has been introduced to minimise problems with group work, so please make sure that you can fully commit to this module.