SA583 DIGITAL ARCAHEOLOGY
| Course Code: | 8140583 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Settlement Archaeology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Lecturer NURDAN ATALAN ÇAYIREZMEZ |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the emerging field of Digital Archaeology, its history, current possibilities and limitations, and future potential. Besides providing a general theoretical understanding of what Digital Archaeology is all about, the course also aims to provide hands-on practice in various methods and techniques related to the application of digital tools in archaeology. Beyond theoretical understanding and hands-on practice, the main purpose of the course is to instil the student with a mindset of problem-solving and developing habits of thought geared towards the opportunities of applying digital tools and technologies in the field of archaeology. This mindset goes beyond the practical understanding of a limited amount of specific tools to perform a fixed set of tasks, but rather serves to gain an understanding of how to address problems in creative ways, using digital technologies.
Course Content
This course aims at introducing methodological and conceptual associations of digitising the practice of archaeology, and interacting with the past digitally. The integration of contemporary digital technologies into archaeological studies has become a necessity for every archaeology research project. Therefore, expertise in these areas are in high demand. In this course, issues on database management, informatics digital visualization (3-D reconstruction, VR etc.), landscape modeling, GIS etc. will be introduced to the student in a holistic manner to prepare them for advanced expertise through the elective modules.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, students are expected to understand the concept of digital archaeology and become familiar with the terminology and the range of digital technologies applied in archaeology.
- Gain an understanding of what is digital archaeology and how to situate it in the wider historiography of the discipline
- Learn about the role of digital tools and technologies in the archaeological practice
- Gain a basic understanding of some tools and applications of digital technologies in archaeological research
- Instil habits of thought related to digital archaeology
- Understand the opportunities and potential of digital approaches for the future of archaeology