Prospectus

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Excursion Transformation of the Roman World

Course
2018-2019

Admission requirements

Admission to the RMA Archaeology programme.

Description

One of the attractions of the study of the RMA programme The Transformation of the Roman World is that much of the archaeology related to the topic is still visible and located in attractive places.
Every 2 years an excursion is organised to a region where it is possible to experience the actual transformation of the Roman world. We will visit important sites, but also institutions and scholars dealing with the subject in that region.

The focus of the excursion and its aim is to place the developments in the region visited in the context of a ‘global’ transformation of the Roman world. You learn to relate micro- and macro-histories and the concepts needed for such work. The students have a central role in organising and preparing the excursion. This is an important element of their training in dealing with projects and international contacts.

Apart from the organisation of the excursion the students will prepare a number of papers, plans and images that form the contents of an excursion guide. They will also give presentations on different aspects of the excursion, such as specific sites or the larger context. Each student will write a daily report on one of the excursion days.

The excursion usually takes place in early May and will take about 8 days. In 2019 we will visit the former Roman provinces of Noricum/Pannonië (Slovenia/Austria/Hungary) and study what happened with these provinces in Early medieval times (Lombards/Gepids/Avars).

Travel expenses will be kept as low as possible.

Set-up of the course:
There will be an 8-day excursion abroad, with an accent on visiting late Roman and early medieval sites. Previous excursions went to the northern Adriatic and southern France. The region to be visited this year will be the former Roman provinces of Noricum/Pannonië (Slovenia, Austria, Hungary).

Course objectives

The course will contribute to the qualifications of a Research Master as formulated by the Faculty of Archaeology. We will discuss this in the first meeting.
The main course objectives are:

  • Ability of critical assessment of current research;

  • Advanced knowledge of material culture of the late Roman and early medieval periods;

  • Skills in ‘reading’ and interpreting archaeological remains (buildings, site locations) in the field;

  • Knowledge of international differentiated research traditions;

  • Skills in presentation of research (writing and presentation);

  • Teamwork skills;

  • Project management skills.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the RMA and RMSc time schedule.

Mode of instruction

Seminar, in which the results of group members will be presented and discussed.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • Travel/excursion: (2,5 ec);

  • Preparation: (2,5 ec).

Assessment method

  • Presentation of part of the research (20%);

  • Written papers and reports by individuals or groups of students (60%);

  • Participation in research and discussions (20%).

All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the RMA and RMSc examination schedule.

Reading list

A reading list will be provided at the start of the course.

Registration

Registration via uSis is mandatory.

  • The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).

  • BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.

  • The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr. F.C.W.J. (Frans) Theuws.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.