For the full syllabus, see the Course Syllabus Page
This course explores the history and context of the politicization, looting, and destruction of archaeological and cultural sites in the Middle East. We will also focus on the associated human toll of historical and recent political conditions, with an emphasis on the Middle East, as well as numerous topics on the ethics and issues of archaeology, museums, and the antiquities market.
We begin with a historical look at the ancient destruction of cultural material, from Mesopotamians to the Romans and beyond. We will cover the politics of archaeology in the Middle East from the First Gulf War to more recent times, including the rise and fall of Daesh (ISIS/IS/ISIL), and archaeological politics in the rest of the Middle East. The class will then highlight the various rationalizations for looting and destruction of archaeological sites, from subsistence looting by local communities, to the wholesale ideological destruction of past cultures, as well as the market for legal and illegal antiquities throughout the world. Finally, we will delve into what is being done by various countries and organizations to combat the problems of looting and destruction in our times, and a discussion of the present and future of archaeology.
Students are responsible for all readings, a weekly online discussion of class themes and readings, one in-class map quiz, a in-class presentation of a contemporary news source with discussion, a take-home course reflections, and a final research project.
All classes will be live and in person only, and will never be recorded. Each class will start with a short lecture introductory by the professor, followed by open class discussion.
Graduate students will also have three discussion classes over the course of the quarter outside of class time, and a larger research project.