Archaeology of Complex Societies
Code: 100728Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeology | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Pedro Vicente Castro Martínez
- Email :
- pedro.castro@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no special prerequisites.
Objectives
1. Define the notion of "complexity" applied to societies studied by archaeology.
2. Consider the historical dynamics of illetrate societies that suppose territorial expansions, inter-regional integrations, world-systems and relations of dependency and centre-periphery, his material bases and his political-ideological configurations.
3. Consider the historical dynamics of illetrate societies that suppose crisis and collapses, paths of growth-decreasing, aggregation-desaggregation, centralisation-decentralisation, as well as conjunctures of catastrophes and epidemics.
4. Present the theoretical positions and the methodologies used in the studies from prehistoric archaeology on the subjects concerned.
5. Present and analyse some cases of prehistoric societies, object of studies from prehistoric archaeology, that illustrate the related topics, in diferent geographies and historical times.
Learning outcomes
- Identifying the context of the historical processes.
- Identifying the characteristic methods of Archaeology and its relationship with the historical analysis.
- Using the specific interpretational and technical vocabulary of the discipline.
- Recognising the importance of controlling the quality of the work's results and its presentation.
- Applying both knowledge and analytical skills to the resolution of problems related to their area of study.
- Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
- Transmitting the results of archaeological research and clearly communicating conclusions in oral and written form to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Applying proper techniques and analytical tools in case studies.
- Interpreting material sources and the archaeological record.
- Mastering the diachronic structure of the past.
- Mastering the processes of change produced in Prehistory.
- Critically assessing the sources and theoretical models.
Contents
1. \"Complexity\" in Archaeology.
2. Historical dynamics of Génesis and Finals and the Illetrate Societies.
3. Territorial expansions and Territorial Integrations: Material Bases and Political Configurations-Ideological.
4. World-systems and relations of dependency and of centre-periphery.
5. Catastrophes and Epidemics: Implications and consequences in Prehistoric Societies.
6. Paths of growth-decreasing, aggregation-desaggregation, centralisation-decentralisation, stratification-horizontality.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical classroom activities | 15 | 0.6 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 |
| Theoretical classes | 45 | 1.8 | 1, 2, 10, 11 |
1. Lectures on the contents of the syllabus. Frequent discussion of topics in the classroom.
2. Exposition of course works on concrete cases, and debate and comments in the classroom.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written thematic course work | 50 | 60 | 2.4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Public exhibition and debate | 25 | 20 | 0.8 | 7, 12 |
| Individual essay | 25 | 10 | 0.4 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 |
The evaluation continuous (Continuous Assessment) implies:
1. A written course work, individually or in a group, about a case (50%). Possibility of recovery.
2. An oral preseentation of the contents of the course work (25%). Not recoverable
3. Briefs individual interventions on questions referred to some of the subjects developed in class (25%). Not recoverable
On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
Students will obtain a not assessed/not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30 % of the assessment items.
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
Single assessment:
All students may have access to the possibility of a single assessment, which will be carried out in the faculty database. The single assessment will consist of the following tests, with the weights indicated in brackets:
- Examination on the contents of the syllabus (40%)
- Commentary on a text-1 (30%)
- Commentary on a text-2 (30%)
Possibility of recovery, with same tests.
Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.
Recovery:
•Continuous evaluation: In order to be eligible for recovery, the student must have been evaluated at 2/3 of the total.
•Single evaluation: In order to be eligible for recovery, the student must have completed all the planned tests.
This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic or content-based searches, or translations, where applicable]. Other specific situations may be contemplated, as deemed appropriate by the teacher. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may
Bibliography
Basic bibliography
CASTRO-MARTINEZ, Pedro V., GILI, Silvia, LULL, Vicente, MICÓ, Rafael, RIHUETE, Cristina, RISCH, Roberto. & SANAHUJA YLL, Mª Encarna (2001), “Teoría de la producción de la vida social. Un análisis de los mecanismos de explotación en el sudeste peninsular”, Astigi Vetus, 1, pp. 13-54.
CASTRO MARTINEZ, Pedro V., ESCORIZA MATEU, Trinidad, OLTRA PUIDOMENECH, Joaquim, OTERO VIDAL, Montse y SANAHUJA YLL, Mª Encarna (2003). “¿Qué es una ciudad? Aportaciones para su definición desde la prehistoria”, Geocrítica-Scripta Nova. Revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales, VII, 146 (10).
CASTRO-MARTÍNEZ, Pedro V., ESCORIZA-MATEU, Trinidad, SANAHUJA YLL, M.Encarna (2006), Contra la Falsificación del Pasado Prehistórico, Instituto de la Mujer, Madrid.
CASTRO-MARTINEZ, Pedro V.; ESCORIZA MATEU, Trinidad (2009), “Lugares Reales y Lugares Ideales. Mujeres y Hombres: Realidad e Ideología en Arqueología”, Cuadernos de Prehistoria de la Universidad de Granada, 19: 37-64.
CASTRO-MARTINEZ, Pedro V.; ESCORIZA MATEU, Trinidad (2014), “Por una Arqueología Social, contra las Manipulaciones Convenientes”, Arkeogazte. Revista de Arqueología, 4: 25-42.
CHAPMAN, Robert W. (2010), Arqueologías de la complejidad. Bellaterra, Barcelona.
CHILDE, Vere G. (1950), “The Urban Revolution”, Town Planning Review, 21 (1), pp. 3-17.
CHILDE, Vere G. (1954 [1936]), Los orígenes de la civilización. Fondo de Cultura Económica, México (2ª edición).
ESTEVEZ ESCALERA, Jordi (2005), Catástrofes en la Prehistoria, Bellaterra, Barcelona.
FLANNERY, Kent (1975), La evolución cultural de las civilizaciones. Anagrama, Barcelona. Original (1972), “The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations”, Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 3, pp. 399-426.
FRANK, Andre G. and Barry GILLS (1993), The World System: 500 years or 5000?, London: Routledge.
FRIED, Morton (1985 [1960]), “Sobre la evolución de la estratificación social y del Estado”, en Llobera, J. R. (ed.), Antropología Política. Anagrama, Barcelona, pp. 133-154.
GRAEBER, David (2012), En deuda: una historia alternativa de la economía, Ariel, Barcelona.
GRAEBER, David, & David Wengrow (2021), El amanecer de todo: Una nueva historia de la humanidad, Ariel, Barcelona.
GUIDI, Alessandro (2000), Preistoria della complessità sociale. Editori Laterza, Bari.
MARX, Karl (1989 [1857]), “Introducción” a las Grundrisse”. Anexo en Contribución a la crítica de la economía política. Progreso, Moscú.
MEILLASSOUX, Claude (2000 [1977]), Mujeres, Graneros y Capitales, Siglo XXI, México DF.
RENFREW, Colin i BAHN, Paul, (1993), Arqueología. Teorías, Métodos y Práctica. Akal, Madrid.
SERVICE, Elman (1984 [1975]), Los orígenes del Estado y de la civilización. El proceso de la evolución cultural. Alianza Universidad, Madrid.
TAINTER, Joseph (2003), The Collapse of Complex Societies, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Software
Word, Power Point, PDF reader, internet browser
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE