Archaeology: scientific methods and practice II

LARKE1220  2016-2017  Louvain-la-Neuve

Archaeology: scientific methods and practice II
6.0 credits
30.0 h
1 + 2q

Teacher(s)
Cavalieri Marco ;
Language
Français
Online resources

Moodle: calendar, notes, course documentation, bibliography,...

Prerequisites

LARKE 1140

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.

Main themes

The course is divided into three modules :

  • Module 1: methodological approach to study archaeological objects
  • Module 2: documentation techniques in archaeology (theory and practice)
  • Module 3: introduction to the professions in archaeology

The main objectives are:

  • Improve students' mastery of bibliographic reference systems (a process begun in LARKE 1140).
  • Improve students' methodological approaches to study archaeological objects by extending their range of working tools (a process begun in LARKE 1140).
  • Give students maximum contact with real works of art and objects.
  • Introduce students to the activities and achievements of the professional world of Archaeology and Art History.
Aims

By the end of this course, students should be able to conduct individually a scientific examination of archaeological documents. They should be able to conduct a literature search based on archaeological objects or themes, by using specific tools (bibliographical databases in archaeology).
Through course sessions in contact with real works of art and objects, students should be able to present a written essay based on a general methodology for analysing archaeological objects (heuristics, description, iconographic and stylistic studies, and terminology). This essay should be illustrated with good pictures that are correctly labelled. 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Evaluation methods

Evaluation steps :

a) continued assessment based on intermediate works over the two semesters and class participation ;

b) a first written research essay and its oral public presentation in December ;

c) a second written research essay and its oral public presentation in May;

Attendance at courses is mandatory and will be checked. The student who has not presented its final essay, either oral or written, may be refused at the final exam.

In case of failure at the intermediate exam (first essay) in January, the student presents a full exam (the two essays) in June. If case of success at the intermediate exam (first essay) in January, the student presents the second essay in June and his two grades will be weighted. Third session in August : full exams only.

Teaching methods

Alternate theoretical courses and supervised practical work sessions, two excursions and visits (sites, labs and/or museums).  Individual practical exercises.

Material : syllabus (LARKE1140), personal notes, power point files and handouts.

Content

Continuity with LARKE1140: terminology, vocabulary, description and identification of objects, documentary typology, etc.

General methodology for analysing archaeological objects (heuristics, description, iconographic and stylistic studies, and terminology). Written essay and oral presentations of the results.

Specific methodologies centred primarily on the Auxiliary Sciences, including internal and external criticism, questions of chronology, context and typology of archaeological records. Emphasis is placed on independent thinking and critical observation.

Bibliography

Syllabus LARKE1140 and thematic bibliographies.

Other information

Teaching staff : different professors with the help of an assistant assigned by the Department.

Faculty or entity<


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Program title
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology : General