070323 PS BA-Proseminar - Public History - Archaeology in Public Debate (2026S)

Public history can be defined as a complex discourse between individuals and collectives about past-related identities. As a historical discipline, archaeology plays an important role in the formation of historical narratives by uncovering, contextualising, and interpreting material remains of past societies. In this proseminar, we will discuss different aspects of public engagement with, and debates about archaeology and archaeologists through the lens of public history. The aim of this course is to examine the past and present roles and influence of archaeologists and archaeology as a discipline in the public debate, and to draw comparisons with current discussions about the public representation and reception of historical research.

Over the course of the proseminar, we will cover a variety of topics: from the adventure-seeking pioneers, legendary discoveries, and famous hoaxes, to the current debates on cultural heritage protection and dealing with amateur archaeologists, history enthusiasts, collectors and metal detectorists. We will also examine the role of archaeology in contributing to contemporary debates on climate change, migrations, and identities, and its representations in the media and popular culture.

Each week, a chosen topic will be discussed based on the assigned reading, consisting of scientific articles, book chapters, and newspaper and magazine articles. This will be supplemented by visits to museums and discussions with professionals in the field, giving the participants of the seminar the opportunity to learn more about the current practice and challenges in public archaeology and public history. The combination of weekly readings and discussions of academic texts and media reports, as well as individual projects accompanied by work-in-progress assignments and peer-review exercises will allow attendees to actively engage with current debates and develop their skills in research and collaborative work.