This seminar will focus on the latest research concerning the important formative processes that shaped the Asian past, for example changing hunter-gatherer lifestyles; the transition to agriculture; the development of new technologies; the processes behind urbanisation and early state formation. Per seminar, students will read several papers on one particular topic, which will be compared and discussed in class. Each student will also be required to choose a topic and related research, and present it during the seminar. The results are reported in an oral presentation and a paper. This course aims to instruct on how to carry out research and critically evaluate data and theories. Attention will also be paid to giving presentations (powerpoint, overheads etc) and writing papers at MA level.
Admission requirements
BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline.
SAP and exchange students: admission after approval by the Graduate School of Archaeology.
Learning objectives
*General knowledge of globally important economic, technological and socio-political processes that affected human development (f.e. changing hunter-gatherer lifestyles; the transition to agriculture; the development of new technologies; the processes behind urbanisation and early state formation); *Have knowledge of how these processes affected Asian culture and history; *Have knowledge of the latest research in these fields; *Have a critical view on the different theoretical approaches; *Be able to argument the pro’s and contra’s of the different theoretical approaches; *Be able to voice one’s own well-argumented opinion of the different theoretical approaches; *A deeper understanding of critical reading of research papers: assessing the reliability of the data presented and conclusions stated in a research paper; *Ability to discuss the background and relevance of these papers in a seminar context; *Ability to choose a research topic and ca. three relevant papers related to this topic, and present this via a powerpoint presentation, stimulating discussion afterwards; *Ability to write a paper on the chosen topic, choosing a minor research question and using the papers to support or deny this point and critically review those papers.
Method of instruction
Seminar.
Examination
Active participation, presentation and paper.
Required reading
Various articles, that will be decided according to the students’ research interests.