BA Classics

Minotaurs, labyrinth, palaces, matriarchy, Mother Goddess, peace-loving, naval empire, cannibalism – many concepts and ideas have been associated with the colourful Minoan civilization that existed on Crete during the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1400 BC). However, many of these are based on a misunderstanding or misreading of the evidence. To overcome the legacy of Victorian scholarship, theoretical frameworks are brought to bear upon the available archaeological and scientific evidence in an attempt to problematise key themes around the emergence, endurance and demise of Minoan society. Among the topics to be investigated are major social changes, such as the transition from hunter-gatherer to agriculturalist/pastoralist, the emergence of urban centres, the social context of the appearance of palaces, burial practices and the treatment of the dead, religion as a tool of community cohesion as well as of palatial control, interaction with neighbouring regions and the question of political control as well as the eventual demise of the Minoan civilization and the debate around a invasion by the Mycenaeans.

1.      To familiarize students with the main developments in prehistoric Crete and, where relevant, with neighbouring regions.

2.      To explore in depth key themes in Minoan archaeology.

3.      To develop a solid understanding of the historical and theoretical context within which the discipline of Aegean Prehistory evolved.

4.      To engage with diverse theoretical approaches, concepts and intellectual frameworks.

5.      To evaluate critically the interpretative potential of difference evidence types.

Upon successful completion of this course unit, students will have:

1.      Gained a good knowledge of the prehistory of Crete and, where appropriate, neighbouring regions from the Palaeolithic through to the collapse of the Minoan civilization.

2.      Engaged critically with key topics in Minoan archaeology, such as the emergence of urban societies, the relationship between the living and the dead, the role of religion, the nature of palatial control on Crete and abroad, the organization of the palaces.

3.      Gained critical understanding with the historical and theoretical context within which Minoan archaeology evolved.

       4. Developed an awareness of different types of evidence, as well as an appreciation of the problems involved in                marshalling these different kinds of evidence.

1.      Demonstrated an ability to evaluate and reflect critically upon different theoretical approaches and evidence      types.

2.      Acquired experience in summarizing one's intellectual position coherently verbally and in writing.

3.    Acquired experience in marshalling the evidence to support one's own argument.

1.      Acquired experience in presenting and reflecting upon evidence orally in a group context.

2.      Demonstrated an ability to utilize the University's online learning environment.

3.      Demonstrated an ability to research a topic using library and internet resources.

4.      Developed competency in applying appropriate academic conventions for presentation of written arguments.

        5.      Acquired experience in planning, conducting and presenting written arguments.

1.      Gained practice in managing time and working to weekly deadlines.

2.      Acquired experience in contributing to group discussions.

3.      Demonstrated an ability to communicate effectively in written work.

4.      Developed experience in a critical use of the Internet to retrieve information.

        5.      Gained experience in utilizing computer word processing software.

Critical Book Review - 25%

Reading log - 75%

         Rutter, J. Aegean Prehistoric Archaeology; http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/