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.

Credits

3

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

48

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

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

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

Credit Hours Narrative

3

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

48

Grading Method

Letter grade

Repeatable

N

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