Contemporary Debates in Archaeological Thought

This course provides students an introduction to archaeological theory, ethics, and practice in the early 21st century. We will consider the wide range of moves beyond post-processualist archaeology; These will include but not limited to materiality, symmetry, the move from identity to intersectionality, the turn to engaging semiotics, anthropologies of infrastructure, religion and secularism, and the debate over practices and prospects of collaborative and community-based research. We will characterize each of these in terms of their philosophical commitments and inspirations, their methodological programs, their modes of writing and polemics, alongside an assessment of their ethical horizons. Prerequisite by consent of instructor. Significant work outside of class time is expected of the student in the course.