Slow Archaeology: Thinking Things through in Archaeological Theory and Philosophy

This course questions the so-called paradigm shifts in archaeology -- "the spatial turn", "the material turn", or the "the ontological turn" – and analyzes the way archaeological theory has developed in our discipline. Students will explore theoretical angles other than the "usual suspects" in archaeological theory to creatively rethink individual research. We will take a philosophical approach to critically and carefully discuss academic archaeology and our roles, our engagement, and future as scholars within an institutional culture that often seems to be dominated by individual achievement, speed, and efficiency. What ideas might emerge if we all just slowed down?