6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 2 with catalog number 1020905ANR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.
In this seminar, authentic archaeological artefacts are the central research-theme. Every year we select a site and collaborate with the archaeologists of that site. In the past we have worked around sites such as Walraversyde, Aalst and ieper. The archaeologists select a set of artefacts with a research interest, that were not studied in detail before. This is the students task. These artefacts can be metal artefacts or artefacts made from wood, a.o., as long as there is a special research interest.
Each student works the entire year around the artefact that is assigned, with the purpose to write a research repport or essay on the research questions, research problems, the historiography and status quastionis, and above all the material, chronological and typological analysis. The analysis also includes the search for the social and cultural significance of the artefact in its archeological and social context.
We help you to discover the actual research steps and methods by a weekly seminar in the first semester. These include the start of literature research and heuristics, site analysis, drawing and describing artefacts, how to design a catalogue entry, interpretation and reporting by writing a paper.
There will be 4 assignments in the first semester: 1: catalogus fiche, 2. an essay on an artefact from the anthropocene; 3. a historiographical essay and 4. a presentation of the own results at the end of the semester. these assignments represent 40% of the end result of this seminar.
During the second semester you work independent on the final report and paper, which rerpresents 60% of the end result of this seminar
Then every student will draft his own bibliographical file with a minimum of 100 titles around the site or the object, similar sites and objects, works around the context, the period, etc. From the bibliography and per student, four or five text parts will be selected that will be subjected to a comparative literature investigation by the student.
Attention will be paid to sources, approaches, interdisciplinarity, interpretation, and meaning, all in a proper and critical way.
The results of this analysis will be presented via an intermediate paper and a PowerPoint presentation for the class. Here, the proper analysis and problem of the investigation of the site or object are central.
As a result of this, we will go deeper into the search for meaning and ritual, through theory and interpretive studies.
In addition, the translation of the meaning of the site or object to the public will be explored, through the analysis of websites for example.
All this leads to a paper around the object/site, in the context of the issue of the general theme. In the paper, the site or object, the properties, meaning, and research questions, approaches and theory, and public activity are covered, followed by a proper critical analysis and interpretation, and a conclusion.
None of the different aspects of the exam is transferrable to the next year if the general result is a fail, though the results of the assignments in first semester can be transferred to the second examperiod of the same year, if only the major paper is failed.
The lectures can include both 'face to face lessons' as distance lectures (i.e. lectures via recordings or via synchronous online contact moments) in the case of a new covid'19 outbreak.
This course is intensively supervised by the assistant, who will also provide feedback with the different intermediate steps in the investigation.
It is possible that the fieldtrips will result in moderate extra costs for the students that are not covered by the university (transport).
The student can process, analyse and interpret original archaeological finds
The student understands the impact of formation processes on the archaeological artefact
The student is on top of the analysis of form, material, technique, dating and function of an archaeological object
the student is able to position him- or herself in the scientific debates concerning the artefact, period, and site under study
The student can report about the research proces and write a paper for a sceintific audience
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
PRAC Presentation determines 10% of the final mark.
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 50% of the final mark.
PRAC Paper determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
40% on attendance of the classes and participation in the partial assignments prior to the paper.
60% on the paper
Second examination period is a new examination: a reworked version of the paper has to be submitted by the start of the second examination period
None of the different aspects of the exam is transferrable to the next year if the general result is a fail, though the results of the assignments in first semester can be transferred to the second examperiod of the same year, if only the major paper is failed.
Absence in class or no delivery of the given assignements in semester 1 can lead to Absent as general resut for this course.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Art Studies and Archaeology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Art Studies and Archaeology: Profile Profile Art Studies and Archaeology (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Arts in Art Studies and Archaeology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Arts in Art Studies and Archaeology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)