Why do Undergraduates Hate Archaeological Theory? Is it only the students…?
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-02-21

The teaching of archaeological theory has been the centre of discussion at several EAA conferences in recent years, often with limited academic engagement. Returning to the spiritual home of TAG offers an opportunity to redefine the role of archaeological theory within the discipline. In an era of declining students, ever more ‘streamlined’ academic programmes, restricted research funding, and commercial fieldwork focus of graduates, is the need for dedicated modules on theoretical archaeology still there? A survey of UK based university archaeology departmental staff and focussed recent graduates and current students permits the analysis of both student and academic approaches to the relevance of ‘theoretical archaeology’ modules, and the benefit (or lack of?) their inclusion within an archaeological degree programme. How are these approaches and topics perceived within the world of commercial archaeology, by both students and employers? The paper aims to explore current trends in the teaching of archaeological theory, and perspectives from potential employers, current students, and recent graduates. 

Benjamin Jennings (University of Bradford)