Compulsory attendance
Yes.
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.
Description
Articles are discussed from recent issues of one of the important peer reviewed journals. Each week a group of 2 or 3 participants present their view in class, others do the same in writing. The assignment is to find out what the theoretical background of the author is and how that effects his/her opinion or methodology. An important aspect of the assignment is to detect hidden assumptions or hidden agendas.
The students are ‘forced’ to formulate a well-argumented opinion on the article. In that manner they learn both in writing and in discussion how to critically assess other people’s research and the premises that they use.
Course objectives
Knowledge of and insight in interpretative approaches to data from the Neolithic to the Iron Age;
Critical assessment of current research with respect to applicability and background;
Ability to voice one’s properly argumented opinion on these topics;
Knowledge of and insight in theoretical approaches;
Insight in the applicability of theoretical models on data;
Ability to formulate well-structured arguments orally, and in writing.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Student presentations;
Discussion on the basis of written assignments under supervision of staff members;
If possible, the course will end with a Graduate School international workshop.
Assessment method
Written weekly assignments (1,000 words each), with strict weekly deadlines;
Participation in discussion;
Presentations in class.
Reading list
Pdf’s accessible via the University Library.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.
Contact information
For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr H. Fokkens.