Archaeology and Religion: Excavating the Sacred from Pre-History to Islam

Instructor: Ian Straughn

contact me via email

Office Hours: Wed. 2-4pm (and by appointment)

My office is located in The Joukowsky Instutute, Room 309, 70 Waterman

***Announcement***

Midterm Essay Topic is now posted below:

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ViewMidterm Essay Topic.doc

Course Abstract

This course explores methodological approaches and theoretical underpinnings of scholarly (and sometimes unpopular) interpretations of the archaeological record as evidence for the religious life of past societies, considering how archaeologists have treated the analytical categories of ritual, religion, ideology and the sacred. These discussions will be examined through Mediterranean case studies as a key region in the archaeology of religion.

Some Practical Matters

• The readings on reserve are frequently digital and can be downloaded through OCRA Brown Library’s Online Course Reserves Access webpage. Password: ritual
  
• Several of the course texts have been order through the Brown Bookstoore if you wish to purchesse them. At least one copy of these texts will be available on reserve at the library
• Throughout the course we will primarily use this wiki, however, there is also a MyCourses site for this course

Full Course Description | Course Goals | Course Requirements/Grading | Weekly Schedule