Archaeological Theory

This course gives an overview, selective and by no means exhaustive, of what archaeological theory is currently about. You will read and reflect upon a recent handbook that provides something of a ‘state of the art’ of the philosophy of science. Note, however, that the handbook chapters are conceived here as points of departure for the individual lectures and associated readings that may wander in very different directions across the contemporary theoretical scape.

Current Issues in Heritage Studies and Applied Archaeology

This course critically engages with archaeology, heritage and museums in contemporary practice, and explores the ‘relationship’ between past and present communities in relation to heritage issues.

Present-day archaeology and heritage studies are not only fields of research, they are more than ever about knowing how to apply knowledge of the past while also engaging with communities and public issues. While archaeologists and museum professionals today may work in protecting and preserving heritage, they also conduct public and community participation as part of research processes or managing archaeology and heritage projects. This course enables students to explain the relevance and impact of heritage research in a social context and current societal issues.

In this course, students explore current issues in archaeology and heritage to engage with the various scientific and social frameworks relevant to present-day practice. Key topics include site and heritage management; ‘democratisation of the past’, applying archaeology and heritage to community-focused research, the global Sustainable Development Goals, environmental issues, and social inclusion.

Museums, Collections and Society

The role, function and purpose of museums in contemporary society has been the center of much debate over the past decades. This course contextualizes that debate by focusing on the history of museums, as well as key concepts and issues in museum theory and museum practice. Combining insights from different disciplines (archaeology, art history, anthropology, museum studies) students will collectively reflect on what the social role of museums and collections is (and can be).

On the one hand, the course focuses on the analysis of exhibitions as a means of communicating societal values and norms within specific socio-cultural-political contexts. On the other, the focus lies on how historical and contemporary collecting practices are related to these same historical-political conjunctures, and how process of globalization, (de)colonization, and digitalization have impacted collecting practice.

This course provides an introduction to methods and approaches in heritage research and museum research. You gain an understanding of debates in methodology, research design and its relationship to research methods, the use of methods, and ethical principles in research practice.

The focus is on qualitative methods in the social sciences and anthropology, and as applied by research staff in the Department of Heritage and Society.

The course employs active learning of methods and methodological problems through short assignments and active involvement in research projects directed by teaching and research staff. You will also learn about research design and the elements it entails necessary for a thesis and research in critical heritage studies and museum studies broadly speaking.

• Hunter-gatherer Archaeology
• The Archaeology of Hominin Diversity

• Europe's First Millennium
• Key Developments in European Prehistory
• Archeologie en Erfgoed van Nederland

• West Asia and Eastern Mediterranean
• The Archaeology of Arabia

• Ancient Networks

• Americas