The preparation of the thesis often involves specific (archeological, historical and/or ethnographic) research in the area of interest, in specific museums, collections, archives, libraries and/or communities. After obtaining permission for their plans from the thesis supervisor, students will have to prepare this practical work in a professional manner (including the necessary methodical/technical knowledge, language fluency, medical precautions etc.). The fieldwork may be realized, for example, in close connection with the department’s projects: excavations in the Caribbean or iconographical historical ethnographic research in Mesoamerica. But students may, after consultation with their supervisors, also contact other field projects or plan semi-independent research. The precise character of the research and the thesis is individually determined in the context of the research program of the track, which centres around several large and long-term NWO-financed projects in the Caribbean and Mesoamerica. In both areas the research is interdisciplinary, combining the study of archeological data (including different forms of scientific analysis) with historical and/or anthropological approaches, while also the study of a specific Amerindian language may be important. Nucleus of the Caribbean research is the Faculty of Archeology’s program of archeological surveys in that area (e.g. Saba, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic), in which students may participate as field supervisors and/or carry out analysis of archeological materials. Mesoamerican studies focus on the interpretation of visual art and writing systems (including their original context in sites and landscapes) in combination with the analysis of early colonial historical documents, as well as with ethnographic fieldwork to document present-day oral traditions. The thesis (to be completed in the second year) is a professional report on the student’s contribution to an overall research project. Generally the report is a written thesis, but other forms are possible as well, if proper preparatory courses have been followed, e.g. a documentary film, a computer program or a CD-Rom, etc.
Timetable
(Optional) fieldwork may take place during class-free periods in winter (December-January) or summer (June-July-August). If the research takes place in Spanish-speaking countries a good active knowledge of that language is absolutely necessary. Work on the MPhil thesis will take place in both semesters of both years of study. It is crucial to define the thesis topic and start the research in the first month of study. Especially during the second year, time should be reserved for further research and writing. Students are obliged to report regularly (at least once a month) about their progress to the supervisors and to attend the relevant thesis tutorial until the work is finished completely. The final draft should be presented six weeks before the expected date of the formal thesis defence.
Method of Instruction
Field research will take place under supervision of a local expert: participation in an archeological project and/or analysis of materials, reserach in archives and/or museum collections, or ethnographic/linguistic fieldwork in an Amerindian community. The whole process of thesis research and writing, from selecting the topic and research questions, the study of data sets and fieldwork, till the final draft are discussed with the supervisors during the thesis tutorial, which all students have to attend until they have completed their thesis. The supervisors provide further orientation, guidance, and feedback in individual or collective consultations.
Course objectives
The aim of fieldwork is exercise in research practice on the spot. The research should add original data and observations to the thesis. The thesis should be a demonstration of professional capacity in advanced research on a topic of Native American archeology and culture history, being an original contribution to the field and an adequate foundation for possible future PhD research.
Required reading
Fieldwork requires adequate preparation through study of the relevant scholarly literature
Examination
Field work will be evaluated by way of a report to the thesis supervisor immediately after returning from the field. For rules and criteria regarding the MPhil thesis see the webpage of the Faculty of Archeology. Definitive discussion and evaluation takes place during the formal thesis defence.