Archaeology as sustainability science

The course is offered as an elective course within the programme H2MAS, Master in Archaeological Sciences.

Admission to the course requires a Bachelor of Arts or the equivalent of 180 HEC, with 90 HEC in Archaeology, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Conservation, Cultural Heritage Studies, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, History, Human Ecology, Human Geography, Social Anthropology, or other field that can considered equivalent.

The course offers in-depth knowledge about how archaeological research and the archaeological scientific perspective contribute to a deeper understanding of ecological, economic, and social sustainability and, sustainable development. A series of topics elucidate archaeology's contributions to sustainability scholarship, for instance, urban planning, agriculture, and food and freshwater security. Topics are critically discussed within different theoretical and methodological frameworks, with an emphasis on anthropocentric and interdisciplinary historical ecology. The course offers a broad understanding of the field's different vantage points and possibilities, which are further detailed from selected case studies. The course applies a global perspective, with case studies from both the Global South and North.

The course consists of the following three modules:

1. Theory and methods, 5 credits

2. Case study, 5 credits

3. Individual assignment, 5 credits

After passing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

discuss in depth the importance of long time perspectives for understanding ecological, economic and social sustainable development

independently problematise how the archaeological perspective can contribute practically and theoretically to addressing contemporary sustainability challenges

critically and systematically account for key research questions, theories and concepts in the field

Competence and skills

justify the choice and application of relevant theories and methods

make a well-informed and reflective selection of source material

demonstrate familiarity with the research field by writing and defending a written work of a scientific nature

Judgment and approach

independently formulate relevant and specific research questions and constructively relate them to an international research situation

evaluate and analyse representations of the past from a sustainability perspective in both scientific and popular science contexts

critically discuss the application of archaeological knowledge in sustainability research

independently reflect on ethical and moral issues raised by different forms of historiography linked to sustainability

Teaching consists of lectures, group discussions, seminars, independent reading of literature and assignments

Examination takes place continuously during the course in the form of active participation, mandatory seminar exercises and written assignments. Those who have not participated in the
mandatory sessions will be given a supplementary assignment. If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The course has a 6-point grading scale:
A Excellent, B Very Good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, F Fail

At the end of the course, students are given the opportunity to complete a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.