Seminar with a regional focus. Tutorial for the planning and elaboration of the MA thesis. Discussion of the main research questions and of the thesis structure. Groups are formed according to region (or theme), and receive specialized instruction in one of the two thesis tutorials, focusing on the Caribbean/Amazonian region and on Mesoamerica, respectively. Students with another regional specialisation follow one of these two thesis tutorials, and organize regular meetings with relevant regional specialists at Leiden University or abroad. For general topics these groups may be combined in common sessions. Students identify and evaluate the most important publications, especially relevant articles in recent issues of leading journals, and write a review of a monograph that is crucial for their thesis research.
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
Knowledge of the state of the art regarding the region and discipline of thesis research. Formulation of a research topic in the framework of modern scholarly discussions. Exercising analytical and library research skills. Preparation and elaboration of the thesis project exercising skills of oral presentation, discussion and writing.
Method of instruction
Seminar with students’ reports, commenting on the structure of research and thesis, with analytic discussion of recent publications.
Required reading
Publications selected by the students themselves (library and internet search).