University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
Study programmes & Course catalogue
for academic year 2025/2026
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
Česky
Search
FAQ

Course: Theoretical archaeology 2

» List of faculties » FF » KAR
Course title Theoretical archaeology 2
Course code KAR/TA2
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Pacák Štěpán, prof. PhDr. CSc., DSc.
  • Havlín Theodor, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Artefacts as key elements of the human world. 2. Artefacts as means of the study of past events (changes). 3. Artefacts as means of the study of past structures (norms) and systems. 4. Adaptation of the external world by artefacts. 5. The study of past technologies and the practical function of artefacts. 6. Artefacts as means of specialization. 7. The social differentiation and the social meaning of artefacts. 8. Artefacts as the means of communication. 9. The study of past symbolic systems and the symbolic significance of artefacts. 10. Expression of cultural and social identity. 11. The concept of cultural change in archaeology. 12. The collapses of cultural systems from the archaeological point of view.

Learning activities and teaching methods
  • Contact hours - 39 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 50 hours per semester
  • Graduate study programme term essay (40-50) - 15 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
To summarize basic theoretical and methodical approaches to archaeological sources
To summarize schools of thought in European archaeology
Skills
To work with relevant scientific literature critically
learning outcomes
Knowledge
To summarize the issue of difference between structural and eventual archaeology
To explain the meaning of "event" in archaeology
To summarize the difference of historical and anthropologic approach to the past
To summarize the issue of trajectory, genealogy, archaeological narration, diffusion and demographic mobility seen as archaeological events
Skills
To formulate the options of dealing with the issue of memory means, material memory and palaeography in both traditional and processual archaeology
To observe not only formal properties but also the purpose of an artefact in a practical, social and symbolic level
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Discussion
Skills
Textual studies
Task-based study method
assessment methods
Knowledge
Combined exam
Skills
Seminar work
Recommended literature
  • Bárta, Miroslav; Kovář, Martin. Civilizace a dějiny : historie světa pohledem dvaceti českých vědců. Praha : Academia, 2013. ISBN 978-80-200-2301-8.
  • Bárta, Miroslav; Kovář, Martin. Kolaps a regenerace: cesty civilizací a kultur : minulost, současnost a budoucnost komplexních společností. Praha : Academia, 2011. ISBN 978-80-200-2036-9.
  • DeMarrais, Elizabeth,; Gosden, Chris,; Renfrew, Colin. Rethinking materiality : the engagement of mind with material world. Cambridge : McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, 2004. ISBN 1-902937-30-9.
  • Hodder, Ian. Entangled : an archaeology of the relationships between humans and things. Malden : John Wiley & Sons, 2012. ISBN 978-0-470-67212-9.
  • Komárek, Stanislav. Příroda a kultura : svět jevů a svět interpretací aneb Jak je to doopravdy. Praha : Vesmír, 2000. ISBN 80-85977-33-8.
  • Květina, Petr; Řídký, Jaroslav,; Končelová, Markéta,; Burgert, Pavel,; Šumberová, Radka,; Pavlů, Ivan,; Brzobohatá, Hana,; Trojánková, Olga; Vavrečka, Petr,; Unger, Jiří. Minulost, kterou nikdo nezapsal. 2015. ISBN 978-80-7465-173-1.
  • Neustupný, Evžen. Teorie archeologie. Plzeň : Aleš Čeněk, 2010. ISBN 978-80-7380-244-8.
  • Olsen, Bj?rnar; Shanks, Michael,; Webmoor, Timothy; Witmore, Christopher. Archaeology : the discipline of things. 2012. ISBN 978-0-520-27417-4.
  • Sedláček, Tomáš. Ekonomie dobra a zla : po stopách lidského tázání od Gilgameše po finanční krizi. Praha : 65. pole, 2009. ISBN 978-80-903944-3-8.
  • Schiffer, Michael Brian; Miller, Andrea R. The material life of human beings : artifacts, behavior, and communication. London : Routledge, 1999. ISBN 0-415-20033-4.
  • Tainter, Joseph A. Kolapsy složitých společností. Praha : Dokořán, 2009. ISBN 978-80-7363-248-9.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, date of update: 23.04.2025 23:52. Data created for academic year 2025/2026