Archaeology of Greece - classes

obligatory courses

Blended learning

The course will consist of two parts: the first semester is dedicated to Aegean Archaeology e.g. archeology of Greece in the Bronze Age. The second semester is dedicated to archaeology of Ancient (Classical) Greece.

In the current semester students will be familiarized with basic aspects of Aegean archaeology. They will acquire knowledge and skills useful in contemporary research practice in the subject area. Participants will learn proper terminology, chronological systems and will gain an overview of the most current internationally acknowledged research. Unlike the lecture the classes will focus on practical aspects, specific subject areas and case studies of particular sites. Students are encouraged to take an active approach, read chosen articles s.concerning the main issues in Aegean archaeology (the articles will be provided during the course) and engage in classroom discussions. Particular emphasis will be laid on overall contextual understanding of presented problem

Bintliff, J. (2012), The Complete Archaeology of Greece: From Hunter-Gatherers to the 20th Century A.D., Malden, Oxford, Chichester (IA).

Cline E.H. ed. (2010.), Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean, Oxford, (IA)

McEnroe, J.C. (2010), Architecture of Minoan Crete, Austin (IA, e-brary)

Rutter, J., Aegean Prehistoric Archaeology, online: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/?page_id=104

Preziosi D.; L.A. Hitchcock (2000), Aegean Art and Architecture, Oxford (IA)

Shelmerdine C.W. ed. (2008), Cambridge Companion to the Aegean Bronze Age, Cambridge 2008 (IA)

Students will acquire knowledge of basic terminology related to the archaeology of Bronze Age Greece and will learn about the past living conditions. They will develop competence in critical analysis of information sources, and learn how to read and interpret academic publications. By the end of the semester they will be able to recognize, classify and provisionally date basic Aegean artefacts such as pottery, frescoes and architectural remains. Participants will acquire both objective knowledge of facts and practical skills related to interpretation of archaeological data and presentation. They will learn the rules of academic discussion and will be given guidelines for preparation of a paper on a chosen subject.

The student

knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products, specific to selected traditions, theories and research schools in the field of the archaeology of Greece (K_W09)

knows and understands the basic methods of analysis for Aegean scripts/knows and understands the basic types of Greek classical texts and their role in the reconstruction of the past (K_W12)

can search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information about archaeological sources from prehistoric/Classical Greece and their context using literature and electronic media (K_U01)

can search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information contained in various sources enabling the reconstruction of the material past of Greece (K_U02)

can independently interpret archaeological sources from the area of Greek prehistoric/Classical civilisations, choosing the right analytical methods, and present the results of their work (K_U03)

can recognize different types of Aegean texts/Greek classical texts. (K_U08)

can use basic research terms and theoretical approaches specific to the archaeology of Greece (K_U09)

can identify different types of material culture products of prehistoric/Classical Greece including contexts and properly document them and perform critical analysis and interpretation (K_U10)

can identify, analyse and use source texts useful in the workshop and working environment of archaeologists studying prehistoric/Classical Greece (K_U11)

can identify, analyse, use and classify archaeological sources (K_U12)

can detect simple relationships between artefacts and ancient cultural and social processes in prehistoric/Classical Greece (K_U13)

can cite current research theses, formulate conclusions and select argumentative strategies in the field of the archaeology of Greece at an elementary level, as well as construct arguments and counterarguments (K_U15)

can communicate using various channels and communication techniques with specialists in the archaeology of Greece and related sciences (K_U16)

can prepare oral presentations on specific issues in the field of prehistoric/Classical Greek archaeology (K_U17)

can listen, discuss and comprehend publications using specialist terminology specific to the field of Greek Archaeology in English at B2 level of the European Language Education Description System (K_U18)

can work in a team and communicate using the specialized terminology for the archaeology of prehistoric/Classical Greece (K_U19)

Students' attendance involving active engagement in discussions is mandatory, however three absences per semester are allowed without justification.

Participants will gain knowledge and skills necessary in future research practice. The will exercise preparing and giving standard (conference) presentations. One of them should eventually be submitted in written form. A wide scope of examples of current academic writing will be provided to the participants so that they could choose their preferred style and attitude. The expert papers will be discussed in the classroom. Students will acquire the basic conceptual framework for the working knowledge of Aegean archaeology. Subjects related to excavations, art and material culture will be covered. Certain rudimentary topics such as the typologies of pottery and archaeology of death and burial will be examined more closely. Moreover, students will acquire the consciousness of the currently available scientific methods (archaeometry, experimental archaeology, archaeotanathology). The student' s mastery of these subjects will be assessed during the short test at the end of the term. Exemplary questions will be given in advance.