Doel vak

After completing this course you
o have a basic knowledge and understanding of the main cultural and
historical developments in the Near East and Mediterranean between ca.
4000 and 300 BC
o are able to place these developments in time and space
o have a firm grasp of the chronological framework of this period
o know and can apply the essential terms, notions, concepts and
stylistic characteristics current in contemporary scholarship in this
field
o have been introduced to dealing with cultural-historical problems from
an
interdisciplinary angle, using archaeological, textual and art
historical sources.

Inhoud vak

This course offers you an overview of the major historical and cultural
developments in the Mediterranean and the Near East between ca. 4000 and
300 BC. The overview is presented on the basis of a selection of
objects, buildings and findplaces. Recurring themes are the emergence
and development of states and political systems, cultural identity and
interconnectivity. Two aspects are particularly important: how
developments in different parts of the Mediterranean and Near East were
interrelated, and the interplay between material culture and mental
concepts in these developments. Next to the lectures, you work on
assignments for the weekly seminars that help you to further explore
specific topics, to relate theory to practice, and to work with written
sources (in translation) and original (archaeological) materials from
the collection of the Allard Pierson Museum.

Onderwijsvorm

Lectures (twice a week) and seminars (once a week).

Toetsvorm

Written exams (75%) and assignments during the tutorials (25%).

Literatuur

De Blois, L. & R. J. van der Spek 2019: An Introduction to the Ancient
World (3rd revised edition), Taylor & Francis, Abingdon.
J. M. Barringer, The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Doelgroep

First-year ACASA students of Classics, Archeology, and Ancient Studies.
This course can also be followed as an elective, as part of a minor or
of exchange program.

Afwijkende intekenprocedure

There is a slightly different enrollment procedure for this course. The standard procedure of the Faculty of Humanities has students sign up for (i) the course, (ii) the type of class (lecture and/or preferred seminar group), and (iii) the exam. However, for this course the instructor will assign the students to the seminar groups. Therefore, students should sign up for (i) the course, (ii) the lectures (if applicable), and (iii) the exam, but not for the seminar groups.