Master Doctorate

Archaeology

Abstract

The master programme in Archaeology offers specialised training in archaeology over a broad chronological time span, from the Minoan period to the end of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. The distinctive feature of this programme is that it combines the study of objects and images from an anthropological and sociological perspective with practical training consisting of the study of objects in museums, collaboration in setting up exhibitions and participation in archaeological excavations.

As part of a collaborative network of Swiss and international universities, the master programme in Archaeology gives students the opportunity from the outset to be part of an inter-cantonal, cross-border network that offers a broad choice of courses and practical work placements.

The master programme provides training in: routine excavation activities (practical work, study trips, fieldwork placements as well as work placements in museums or laboratories), principles of data analysis and interpretation, links with other disciplines (philology, ancient history, social anthropology, art history, museology, archaeometry), epistemological and theoretical aspects and, lastly, the relationship between archaeological research and the non-academic world (lectures, exhibitions, events, principles of communication, etc.).

This study programme is taught partly in French and partly in German. Students are required to follow teaching sessions in both languages. The distribution is fixed according to the subject being taught, but students are always permitted to choose their language for presentations, written work and examination (French or German).

  • Show the study programme profile

    Profile of the study programme

    The teaching of classical archaeology covers a vast time span, from the Minoan period in the 3rd millennium BC to the end of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It concerns artistic production and material culture in general, in their sociocultural context. It aims not only to help students develop a critical and analytical mind, but also offers practical training through the study of objects in museums, collaboration in setting up exhibitions and participation in archaeological excavations.

    Study of the materials is an opportunity to work with several different media. Archaeology investigates all the material and iconographic evidence left by past civilisations: architecture, sculpture, urban planning, paintings, mosaics and small objects (bone artefacts, glass, pottery, gems, money, etc.), analysed in context (sanctuary burial sites, habitat). Also considered is the contribution of new techniques of analysis (archaeometry), especially of organic products such as bones, from the perspective of palaeoanthropology or archaeothanatology, which includes the study of bones and the funerary treatment of individuals. This training is complemented by practical know-how (photography, drawing, surveys) enabling students to work on an excavation site.

    Objects are studied in association with the social and cultural environment that produced them. The approach also includes the contribution of written sources, both Greek and Latin, which provide a discourse complementary to that of images, objects and monuments. Students thus learn to build up and manage a multidisciplinary body of documents, and to collect and critically analyse a secondary bibliography that provides keys to interpretation. Acquisition of these skills provides important methodological tools for a future career in a number of professions.

    In contact with antiquity
    Contact with the objects and monuments of antiquity is essential. Regular visits to museums and different archaeological sites help raise students' awareness of the spatial and technical dimensions of material culture, which are impossible to grasp through digital or printed resources.

    The ultimate aim of archaeology is anthropological. At its epicentre is the cultural history of humankind from every perspective (age groups, gender, social status, etc.) in a constant dialogue with other disciplines and periods of history that reveals the endurance and importance of this cultural heritage in contemporary society.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

90 ECTS credits + 30 ECTS credits as an option in a minor study programme freely chosen, 3 to 4 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/7oYad (French)
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/nJ3Zw (German)

Admission

Master's degree programmes are built on the knowledge and abilities that were acquired when obtaining a bachelor's degree.

Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss university are admitted to a master's degree programme without any preconditions if they have earned 60 or 90 ECTS credits – depending on the chosen master's degree programme – within the corresponding discipline. However, additional requirements can be required. The same applies to holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg.

Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss or a foreign university, provided that the bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg, who do not fulfil this condition can be admitted to a master's degree programme with preconditions (which must be successfully completed before starting the master's degree programme) and/or additional requirements (which can be completed during the master's degree programme). The preconditions and/or additional requirements may not exceed 60 ECTS credits in total. The same applies to holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss university of applied sciences, according to existing agreements.

The respective conditions of admission for each master's degree programme are reserved.

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme and as a specialisation programme (30 ECTS credits).

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Master of Arts in Historical Sciences: Archaeology

Languages of study

Study in two languages, in French and German

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to further studies

Ph.D

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Art History and Archaeology
Elodie Bauer
elodie.bauer@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-archeology

Apply for admission

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