COURSE CURRICULUM

The Global Archaeology master’s program at Leiden University is structured to provide both regional specialisation and global perspectives on archaeology. In the first semester, students focus on their chosen regional area—Europe, the Mediterranean and West Asia, or the Americas. Each area course begins with an introduction to archaeological research within the region, closely tied to ongoing faculty research projects. This enables students to gain deep, contextualised knowledge of regional archaeology while directly engaging with current academic work. In the second semester, the focus shifts toward broader comparison and reflection through two general courses on archaeological theory, which allow students to critically analyse and connect the different regional traditions within a global framework. Students can further expand their expertise through electives, which offer the opportunity to study specialised methodologies, techniques, or to gain hands-on experience through an internship.The culmination of the program is the master’s thesis, a substantial research project demonstrating the student’s ability to conduct independent archaeological research in their selected region and reflect on its role in broader human history. This thesis highlights the integration of regional specialisation with global archaeological perspectives. Teaching methods within the program include lectures, seminars, and tutorials, with a strong emphasis on active participation. While lectures provide foundational insights into specific topics, seminars and tutorials encourage deeper engagement through discussion, analysis, and collaborative learning. Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including written examinations, presentations, assignments, and research papers, with active participation highly valued.The program follows the European credit system, where one credit equals 28 hours of study, and a full academic year amounts to 60 credits. This ensures a rigorous workload that combines theoretical study, methodological training, and practical research. Together, the structure of the program equips students with the critical and professional skills necessary to pursue careers in archaeology, heritage management, or academic research.