The Archaeological Field School : A Comparative Study of Practical Pedagogy

ISBN-13: 9783639059236 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 200 str.

Laura McRae

Opis

Archaeological field schools play an integral role inshaping archaeologists. As a vital educationalexperience, one would expect an abundance ofliterature dedicated to this component ofarchaeological education. However, but for a limitednumber of articles and recently published books, thisremains an unrealized goal. Consequently, theobjectives of my exploratory research study were toperform a comparison of archaeological field schoolsthrough analysis of advertising, administration,economics, and pedagogy, and to formulate suggestionsthat current and prospective field school directorsmay use as a guide to create and design fieldschools. My analysis is grounded in critical andengaged pedagogy that embrace holistic learningconcepts. This shift in orientation for educatorsrequires that field school staff learn to criticallyreflect on their role as producers of knowledge. Byexpanding the educational focus of field schools toencompass the ontological, epistemological, andmethdological issues of their discipline, fieldschool staff help create a critical learningenvironment based on genuine concern and passion forthe interpretation of our collective past.

O autorze

Laura McRae is a senior archaeologist and co-director of projects
with The Central Archaeology Group Inc., a cultural resource
management firm located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. She has
directed archaeological assessments and excavations throughout
Canada and Central America.