ANTH 103 Introduction to Archaeology
ANTH 103 is a basic introduction to the principles and concepts used in the science of archaeology and the methods applied to interpreting archaeological discoveries. Prehistoric periods of human populations throughout the world and the variety of societies and technologies created through human history will also be reviewed.
ANTH 103Introduction to Archaeology
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Social Science
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
48
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
ANTH 103 is a basic introduction to the principles and concepts used in the science of archaeology and the methods applied to interpreting archaeological discoveries. Prehistoric periods of human populations throughout the world and the variety of societies and technologies created through human history will also be reviewed.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Explain the difference between pseudoscience and science as it relates to archaeology
- Summarize the historic contributions of four important archaeologists
- Summarize the distinction between Processualism and Postprocessualism in archaeology.
- List the major categories of prehistoric artifact materials.
- Describe a typical archaeological field project including survey, mapping, testing, and excavation.
- Explain the difference between functional, temporal, and material types.
- Define relative and absolute dating and provide examples of each
- Identify the characteristics that distinguish sex, age, and stature of a human skeleton
- Explain the relationship between environment and adaptation using the ancient Maya as a specific example.
- Summarize the four primary subsistence systems identified by anthropologists to include foragers, subsistence farmers, pastoralists, and intensive agriculturalists.
- Explain six major sources of culture change.
- Explain why Cultural Resource Management (CRM) has become a dominant avenue of employment for many of today’s archaeologists
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
The Science of Archaeology
Backgrounds of Archaeology
The Development of Contemporary Archaeology
The Archaeological Record
Conducting Fieldwork
Classification and Analysis of Artifacts
Determining Time
Bioarchaeology: Human Remains
Environment and Adaptation
Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence
Interpreting Past Cultural Systems
Understanding Culture Change
Cultural Resource Management
Archaeology in the Real World
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Video summary and reaction: "On the Obsidian Trail"
Video summary and reaction: "Collapse Part IV, with Jared Diamond"
Video summary and reaction: "Myths and Moundbuilders"
Participate in lab exercise: Making Split-Twig Figurine
Participate in lab exercise: Experimental Archaeology, Flintknapping
Participate in lab exercise: Forensic Analysis Skeleton Kit
Participate in lab exercise: Great Basin Projectile Point classification
Demonstrate ability to designate "legals" of site location on USGS topo map.
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major subsistence types.
Required Exams
Four lab exercise summaries, minimum of half page
Three video reactions, minimum of half page
Final exam
Required Text
Archeology: The Science of The Human Past, 3rd edition, Mark Q. Sutton and Robert M. Yohe, Allyn and Bacon, 2007.
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Video summary and reaction: "On the Obsidian Trail"
Video summary and reaction: "Collapse Part IV, with Jared Diamond"
Video summary and reaction: "Myths and Moundbuilders"
Participate in lab exercise: Making Split-Twig Figurine
Participate in lab exercise: Experimental Archaeology, Flintknapping
Participate in lab exercise: Forensic Analysis Skeleton Kit
Participate in lab exercise: Great Basin Projectile Point classification
Demonstrate ability to designate "legals" of site location on USGS topo map.
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major subsistence types.
Four lab exercise summaries, minimum of half page
Three video reactions, minimum of half page
Final exam