ANTH 480 HISTORY AND THEORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY Winter 2009 MW 1000-1150 HSS 106

Instructor       Description       Texts       Evaluation      Goals       Schedule

To understand what is happening today or what will happen in the future, I look back.  Oliver Wendell Holmes

This course examines the development of modern archaeological science from beginnings in the 18th century through the emergence of contemporary theories of cultural evolution with an emphasis on Americanist archaeology. We explore current theoretical issues and concerns, including ethics, feminist critiques, and post-processual paradigms. Seminar format; student participation is an integral component of the course.

Trigger, Bruce G. 2006  A History of Archaeological Thought. Second Edition.  Cambridge:  Cambridge University Press.

Johnson, Matthew 1999  Archaeological Theory: An Introduction .  Walnut Creek, California:  Blackwell.

This course is built upon collaborative analysis of assigned readings.  Preparation and attendance are mandatory. Responsibility for leading in-class discussion rotates among members of the seminar. The seminar leader will prepare a succinct outline of the chapter, introduce the main points, and then call on members of the class for contributions. The class will respond and then pose questions for further discussion. Brief essays are due for each assignment are due at the beginning of class.

Each member also conducts research on a special topic selected to contribute to the seminar.  This research is discussed with the class during the second half of the term and submitted as a formal paper at the last regular class meeting. The final is a presentation of the research and response to questions about it from the seminar participants during the final exam period.

Do not enroll in this course if you do not plan to attend and participate fully and enthusiastically.  

Please note: all work prepared outside of class must be typed/word processed; this encourages planning for adequate time to read and compose as well as type and shows repect for your reading audience.

Keep a copy for your records. Always back up your work.

Chapter Essays: Read the chapter, noting major topics covered, terms defined, key people and dates. Select the most compelling issue, idea or insight and find a quotation that captures its essence. In 1-2 pages double spaced, introduce your topic, quote your quote, and discuss its significance. Try, once we get under way, to make connections with previous chapters or other readings..

Grades are assigned according to the following scale: A = 93-100, A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; < 60 = F.
 

Weighting of required work: 50 % Participation 20 % Research Process 20 % Research Paper 10 % Presentation

I place a high value on academic honesty and expect my students to do the same.  Please ensure you understand the definition of academic dishonesty in the Code of Student Responsibility.  I refer apparent cases of academic dishonestly to the Coordinator of Campus Judicial Affairs for ajudication.  If you have any questions or concerns about how you have quoted, paraphrased or cited sources, seek my assistance before you submit your work.

• You are responsible for a grade if your name remains on the Registrar's role past the last drop date, at the end of week 6.
  
• The "Incomplete" grade is reserved for the rare case in which the student was making satisfactory progress when documented circumstances beyond the student's control caused a significant but discrete portion of the course to remain unfinished at the end of dead week.
  
• I place a high value on academic honesty and expect my students to do the same. Please ensure you understand the definition of academic dishonesty in the Code of Student Responsibility. I refer apparent cases of academic dishonesty to the Coordinator of Campus Judicial Affairs for ajudication. If you have any questions or concerns about how you have quoted, paraphrased or cited sources, seek my assistance before you submit your work.
  
• Please make wise use of email. Use the subject line to identify the course and yourself:"ANTH 216 Last Name". Do not send written assignments by email; submit them in hard copy. Avoid sending email messages (to anyone) when angry or upset.
• Requests for special accomodations are best made in person during office hours.
  
• Cell phones? Please turn them off at the beginning of class.
  

Participation in this course will strengthen your skills as a reader, researcher, writer, speaker, and listener as you enhance your knowledge and appreciation of:

• When and how Western cultures became aware of the human past.
• The major periods in the development of archeological thought.
• The particular course taken in the evolution of archaeological thought in the Americas.
• The potential and limits of material culture as a source of information about our past.
• The influence of cultural environments and historical events on what is asked about the past.
• The major contributions of archeology to our understanding of the human condition.

ANTH 480 SCHEDULE WINTER 2009

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