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Archaeology (Research): Religion and Society: Native American Cultures

Prime characteristics of this Research Master programme are its interdisciplinary perspective and ethno-archaeological interest. The programme aims to provide students with a broader knowledge of and deeper insights into the history of Native American cultures, focusing on the relationship between religious worldview and social agency. The study of the past (archaeology, anthropology, sciences, history, linguistics) is connected to an interest in the present.

Research themes

  • artistic expressions of religious narratives

  • concepts and rituals

  • social organisation

  • trade routes and cultural interaction

  • issues of heritage and identity.

These grand themes are applied to case studies in the context of specific research in specialisation tutorials and seminars on topics such as ‘Ancient American Art and Religion’ or ‘Mobility and Exchange’. A special area of expertise is the reading of ancient Mexican historical and religious pictorial manuscripts. Combinations with the study of Amerindian languages or with sciences (geo-bioarchaeology) are other options.

Thesis and Future Research

The Research Master thesis is to be based on original research, which may include archaeological or anthropological fieldwork, as well as studies of museum collections, archives and other primary sources. It is possible to participate in Leiden field schools related to long-term research projects, such as excavations in the Caribbean or ethnography in Mesoamerica.

The Research Master thesis is conceived as the basis for later PhD research in the context of a Leiden research project, either in the Caribbean area (excavations and surveys, with analysis of material remains) or in Mesoamerica (interpretation of ancient visual art and historical texts). Students may combine the thematic lines of the two approaches by using the space of the multidisciplinary research.

Staff

Staff responsible for the Research Master Specialisation in Religion and Society: prof. dr. Corinne Hofman, prof. dr. Maarten Jansen

First Year

  • Choose one or more specialisation seminars with a total of 10 ECTS.

  • Choose one research seminar.

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

General part

Advanced Methods and Theory 5
RMA Thesis Archaeology First Year - Part One 0
RMA Thesis Archaeology First Year - Part Two 15
Teaching assistance - Part One 0
Teaching assistance - Part Two 5
Workshops - Part One 0
Workshops - Part Two 5

overview seminar

Exploring key concepts in cross-cultural studies 5

specialisation seminar:

Art, Cosmology and Ritual 5
Mixtec Living Community and Cultural Heritage 5
Mobility and Exchange in Ancient America 10

research seminar:

Communicating Communities First Year - Part One 0
Communicating Communities First Year - Part Two 10
Cultural Interaction, Memory and Identity - Part One 0
Cultural Interaction, Memory and Identity - Part Two 10

Multidisciplinary research

Multidisciplinary research First Year - Part One 0
Multidisciplinary research First Year - Part Two 5

Second Year

Follow the second year of the chosen research seminar

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

General part

Epistemology of Archaeology: Hominin and human minds 5
RMA Thesis Archaeology Second Year - Part One 0
RMA Thesis Archaeology Second Year - Part Two 20
Workshops - Part One 0
Workshops - Part Two 5

Specialisation

Contemporary Amerindian Societies 5
Teaching assistance Religion & Society - Part One 0
Teaching assistance Religion & Society - Part Two 5

research seminar:

Communicating Communities Second Year - Part One 0
Communicating Communities Second Year - Part Two 10
Cultural Interaction, Memory and Identity - Part One 0
Cultural Interaction, Memory and Identity - Part Two 10

Multidisciplinary research

Multidisciplinary research Second Year - Part One 0
Multidisciplinary research Second Year - Part Two 10