UCL - Archaeology of Aegean Civilisations

[ARKA2600]

[15h] 4 credits

This course is taught in the 1st semester.

Teacher(s): Jan Driessen

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

Advanced course for archaeologists specialising in the Prehellenic and Greek Aegean. The aim is to develop a critical sense and analytical methods of material culture. Application of theoretical and anthropological concepts in archaeological interpretation.

Main themes

The course discusses problematic issues and specific problems of interpretation in relation with use of archaeological sources for the reconstruction of social and political relations in the Aegean Bronze Age (Crete, continental Greece, Cyclades, Cyprus) and the input art has on this reconstruction.

Content and teaching methods

Contents: The main topic to be treated during the year 2007-2008 is the function of buildings with central courts in Minoan Crete. This is linked to a detailed and thorough discussion of the symbolism incorporated by material culture and its reflection of social order, political relations, religious systems and economic organisations during the Neopalatial period (ca. 1700-1450 B.C.). Also discussed are the absolute and relative chronologies as well as the impact of the Santorini eruption.

Teaching methods: a combination of ex-cathedra lessons by the teacher or invited speakers and seminars. The sessions are prepared by the students on the basis of one or more articles of which the list is given at the beginning of the year. The students are also invited to participate actively in certain sessions which may take the forms of seminars prepared by the students. Possibility to organise a study tour in the Aegean with presentations by students and introduction to field work.

Reading list:
O.T.P.K. Dickinson, The Aegean Bronze Age, Cambridge World Archaeology, 1994.
Course on the web by J. Rutter : Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean http://projectsx.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : The course FLTR Arts et Civilisations I or similar.
A course of Introduction à la pratique scientifique in the Humanities.
Accessible to students that have followed a minor in Archaeology and Art History and the course ARKE Greek-Roman Antiquity or similar.
Evaluation : Oral exam at the end of term (10 points), continuous evaluation (seminars) (5 points) and personal paper (5 points).
Support : Summary, bibliography and PPT presentations are available on the intranet of the department ARKE.