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.

Community Heritage and Global Challenges

This course addresses advanced topics in critical heritage studies. It applies critical and social theory to rethink heritage in practice, and explores the relationship between communities and heritage issues.

We will study foundational concepts as they are applied to studying community, and challenges related to globalization, environmental issues, sustainable development, 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).

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.

• Hunter-gatherer Archaeology
• The Archaeology of Hominin Diversity

• Europe I: Prehistory
• Europe II: Historical Archaeology
• Key Developments in European Prehistory
• Archeologie en Erfgoed van Nederland

• Neolithisation in West Asia
• Eastern Mediterranean and West Asia
• The Archaeology of the Assyrian Empire

• Archaeology of the Crusades
• Current Issues in the Archaeology of the Frontier Regions of the Roman Empire
• The Archaeology of the Greek Mediterranean
• Crafting the Greek World. Theory and practice
• The Archaeology of Daily Life in the First Millennium CE in the Mediterranean
• Ancient Networks

• Americas