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  • Introduction to Archaeology
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This course is an introduction to the study of concepts, theories, data and models of anthropological archaeology that contribute to our knowledge of the human past. The course includes a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry; the history and interdisciplinary nature of archaeological research; dating techniques; methods of survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation; cultural resource management; professional ethics; and selected cultural sequences.  This course may include a lab component.

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Eligibility for or completion of C-ID ENGL 100: College Composition

  1. Types of archaeological data
  2. Archaeological theory and models and their relationship to data
  3. History and nature of archaeological research
  4. Dating techniques
  5. Methods of survey
  6. Excavation methods
  7. Archaeological analysis and interpretation
  8. Cultural resource/heritage management
  9. Cultural sequences
  10. Archaeological ethics and community relations

The course may include a lab component.

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Identify the various archaeological theories, methods, and techniques used to investigate the human past.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry and its application in archaeological research.
  3. Articulate the goals, and the legal, operational, and ethical framework of cultural resource management and heritage preservation. 
  4. Illustrate the use of archaeological methods with reference to cultural sequences.
  5. Discuss the relationship between anthropology and archaeology.

Multiple measures may include, but are not limited to: 

  1. In-class discussions and exercises
  2. Individual/group writing projects
  3. Written and oral quizzes
  4. Field assignments
  5. Journal reviews
  6. Other writing assignments
  7. Exams

Ashmore, Wendy and Robert J. Sharer.  Discovering Our Past:  A Brief Introduction to Archaeology.  McGraw-Hill.

Bahn, Paul and Colin Renfrew.  Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice.  Thames and Hudson.

Fagan, Brian M.  Archaeology: A Brief Introduction.  Pearson Prentice Hall. 

Feder, Kenneth L.  The Past in Perspective:  An Introduction to Human Prehistory. Oxford University Press. 

Feder, Kenneth L.  Linking to the Past:  A Brief Introduction to Archaeology.  Oxford University Press. 

Kelly, Robert and David Hurst Thomas.  Archaeology:  Down to Earth. Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. 

Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn.  Archaeology Essentials: Theories, Methods, and Practice.  Thames and Hudson.

Sharer, Robert and Wendy Ashmore.  Archaeology:  Discovering Our Past.  McGraw-Hill.

Sutton, Mark Q and Robert M. Yohe.  Archaeology: The Science of the Human Past. Allyn and Bacon. 

Supplementary readings:

Patterson, Thomas.  The Theory and Practice of Archaeology:  A Workbook.  Prentice Hall.

Rice, Patricia.  Doing Archaeology:  A Hands-On Laboratory Manual.  McGraw-Hill.

Sutton, Mark and Arkush Brooke.  Archaeological Laboratory Methods:  An Introduction.  Kendall Hunt.

Or equivalent Open Educational Resource

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  • Archaeology is one of the core components of anthropology.

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