Las prácticas socioeducativas y sus desafíos en la formación arqueológica-universitaria regional, Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

Starting with a review of the concept of extension in Latin-America and the definition of Social and Educational Practices (PSE) projected in Argentinian national universities, this research analyzed the challenges this form of social bonding poses for the newly created archaeology studies in Cuyo´s National University. Therefore, we first contextualize our case study, located in the Mendoza province, Central-West Argentina. The study then performs a background analysis about extension focusing on those moments, concepts and paradigms which allowed the disposition of egalitarian knowledge construction way of between university and its environment. From this perspective the study defined the main PSE characteristics. Later, reviewed the precedents concerning social roles and extension in Latin American archaeology considering regional cases. Finally, the study puts forward the challenges PSE have as an integral extension form representing university education in archaeology, which implies the redefinition of the very same discipline regarding the role played by its professionals and their connection with the environment and social subjects.