HNAB0107EU Themes and Topics 1: Themes and Topics in Near Eastern Archaeology 1: Hunter-Gatherers and Early Farmers in the Middle East

Volume 2024/2025
Education

Fagstudieordning Bacheloruddannelserne i assyriologi, nærorientalsk arkæologi og ægyptologi, 2019

Fagstudieordning BA-tilvalg i assyriologi, nærorientalsk arkæologi, ægyptologi 2019

Fagstudieordning Kandidattilvalg i assyriologi, nærorientalsk arkæologi, ægyptologi 2019

 

Content

Southwest Asia is a key region for discussions surrounding the early human past. Lying at the cross-roads between Africa, Asia and Europe it was a key migration route and zone of interaction for hominins during the Palaeolithic. Some of the world’s earliest plant cultivating and animal domesticating societies emerged in southwest Asia, sparking the transition to the Neolithic. This course introduces students to the material culture, chronology, social geography, environments, economies and societies of the Palaeolithic and early Neolithic of southwest Asia, and covers key debates, such as the demise of the Neanderthals and the emergence of anatomically modern humans, as well as the origins of farming and village life.  

Knowledge:

At the end of the course, the student is expected to have developed:

• An understanding of the questions and central discussions in the early prehistory of the Middle East

• An appreciation of the material culture, chronology and settlements of the early prehistoric periods in the Middle East

  • Knowledge how research history has shaped our understanding of the early prehistory of SW-Asia

Skills:

At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

•Explain the relationship between different analytical frameworks and current discussions in the field

• critically and reflexively analyse research problems

•Apply knowledge gained to the study of archaeological materials and/or problems

Competencies:

At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

•Recognize and identify the material culture of the periods covered in the course and use it to analyze relevant questions or problems

•Formulate a defined research question independently and describe it in writing

•Apply the theoretical literature in conjunction with archaeological material

The course will be taught by means of lectures, seminars, practical exercises and group work. Students will independently work on a research topic as part of the course, part of which will include an in-class presentation. This presentation will form the basis of the course final exam, which will be in essay format.

Learning Outcome

BA 2019-studieordning
Temaer og emner i nærorientalsk arkæologi 1 (aktivititetskode HNAB00191E)

BA 2019-tilvalgsstudieordning
Temaer og emner i nærorientalsk arkæologi 1 (aktivititetskode HNAB10341E)

KA 2019-tilvalgsstudieordning
Særlige emner inden for arkæologi (aktivitetskode HNAK13011E)

Exchange student BA
Themes and Topics in Near Eastern Archaeology 1(acitvity code HNAB10341E) 

Students will be expected to read literature in English.
Lectures, seminars, practical exercises, group work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 191.5
  • Practical exercises
  • 56
  • Project work
  • 28
  • Guidance
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 75
  • Total
  • 412.5
Written
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Criteria for exam assesment
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Criteria for exam assesment

Academic targets

At the examination, the student can demonstrate:

Knowledge of:

the key issues and discussions within selected periods and topics in Near-Eastern archaeology, such as architecture and art, the emergence of Neolithic societies or ancient Egyptian archaeology.

The relevant chronology for the periods discussed.

Skills in

explaining the relationship between an analytical framework and current discussions.

relating selected aspects to the history of research.

discussing analytically, critically and reflectively a specific issue.

presenting a complex issue by means of an oral and written presentation of the subject matter.

applying theories and models analytically.

Competencies in

formulating a specific research question relevant to the subject area independently and in writing.

applying archaeological material analytically to illustrate relevant issues.

using theoretical literature related specifically to the archaeological material.

 

Syllabus

The syllabus is 1,200-1,400 standard pages, which must be apparent from the bibliography of the take-home assignment. At least 600 pages of these 1,200-1,400 standard pages must originate from the syllabus of 1,000-1,400 standard pages specified by the lecturer.

 

Teaching and working methods

The course comprises lectures with active student participation and practical exercises, including short assignments and oral presentations. The students will be asked to work individually and/or in groups.

 

Exam provisions

Form of exam: Take-home assignment, optional subject.

Scope: 11-15 standard pages.

Assessment: Internal exam with a single examiner with assessment based on the 7-point grading scale.

Regulations for group exams: The exam can only be taken individually.

Exam language(s): Danish or English.

Materials permitted: All.

Make-up exam/resit: Conducted in the same manner as the ordinary exam.