Syllabus Fall 2009
Course Title: Introductory Archaeology Course Number: ANTH 2020
Class meets: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9:35-11:00 am Name: Dr. Jack T. Wynn ("My Life is in Ruins")
Classroom: Room 108, Dunlap Hall
E-mail: jtwynn@ngcsu.edu; or jtmfwynn@windstream.net
Office location: Room 304 Young Hall Office Hours; 11:30-12:30 and 1:30 to 2:30 , Tuesdays and Thursdays, and by appointment.
Prerequisites: None
Course/Catalog Description: This is an introductory-level course on the methods and theories used in Anthropological Archaeology, and their applications to the study of past human cultures world-wide.
Course Objectives: The students will put the science of archaeology within its anthropological context and study the latest methods and theories used by practitioners in field and laboratory. They will cover the general rise of civilization with an emphasis on past New World cultures. In the process they will examine several recent or on-going archaeological projects and visit at least one major archaeological site and museum in this region.
Learning Objectives: In addition to the course objectives above, these will include analysis of ethical interactions for archaeologists working in local and global communities to the ownership and treatment of archaeological remains. Student essays and other written work will indicate their understanding of these principles. Various “how-to” techniques used in solving archaeological problems can have application to real-world situations far outside archaeology.
Methods of Instruction: This will be a lecture, discussion, demonstration, and hands-on class activity format, aided by technology (Powerpoints®, video, film, library, and internet research), as well as at least one field trip. Students will be encouraged to use on-line resources within the class.
Evaluation Methods: There will be regular class discussion, two tests, a final exam, plus written assignments. Written assignments will include short 3-4 page reports on the archaeological projects they have read about, visited, or participated in, and short answers and essays on tests. Grades will be based on class participation, tests, written assignments, and the final examination.
General Expectations: Attendance will be taken regularly. Well-prepared class participation in all class meetings is expected as a part of the grade. If a student misses a class, it is their own responsibility to get the materials milled from a classmate, the NGCSU Anthropology website, and the textbooks. Changes in the calendar should be expected as we adjust to current situations, so it is the student’s responsibility to check the anthropology website at least once a week for such changes. Changes will of course be announced in class, with the website as a backup.
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. They will be dealt with according to college regulations (see below). If a student is absent for more than five (5) class meetings, they are subject to being dropped from the class.
The course calendar is posted on the WebCT/Vista-8 program for this course. There you will find weekly class notes and reading assignments, topics for discussion, and dates for tests and other activities. The student is urged to print off the topic outline for each day’s class the night before, to be (a) prepared for the next day’s discussions, and (b) to avoid having to try to write down and absorb everything immediately, including spellings of new terms, during class time. Prior preparation and text reading should prepare the student for each day’s discussion. There will also be review questions in advance of each test.
Calendar: (Subject to changes: students are urged to check the Anthropology website weekly!)
Week Topics References/Due Dates
1 Introduction: What and Who Thomas & Kelly Ch 1
2 Georgia Archaeology & Anthropology Frontiers in the Soil
3 Georgia Archaeology How it’s done “ & Field Trip
4 Science in Archaeology T&K Ch 2
5 Fieldwork, Archaeological Surveys T&K, Ch 3 Field Trip
6 Fieldwork: Digging Square Holes T&K, Ch 4
7 Mid-term TEST 1; Dating T&K, Ch 5 TEST 1
8 Experimental Archaeology, Scott Jones Demonstrations T&K, Ch 7
9 Time, Space, and Form T&K, Ch 6
10 Past peoples, Plants, and Animals T&K, Ch 8
11 TEST 2; Biological Archaeology T&K, Ch 9 TEST 2
12 Social and Political Systems T&K, Ch 10
13 Archaeology of the Mind T&K, Ch 11
14 Historic Archaeology T&K, Ch 12
15 Cultural Resources, Heritage Management T&K, Ch 13
16 Archaeology’s Future; Review
Final Exam, Tuesday, Dec 8, 10:30-12:30, Comprehensive FINAL
Required Textbook: D. H. Thomas and R. L. Kelly, 2007, Archaeology Down to Earth, 3rd Edition, Thompson-Wadsworth.
Recommended Reading: R. S. Dickens and J. McKinley, 2003, Frontiers in the Soil, the Archaeology of Georgia. Carl Vinson Institute of Government. This book will be on in-house reserve in limited numbers in the University Library, but is also available for purchase at the University Bookstore, and at Dorks Bookstore.
Additional Readings will be assigned, to be reported on in writing, and possibly in class. Written reports will be expected following any field trips.
Academic Integrity Policy: The NGCS Honor Code is to be followed: “On my honor I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, or tolerate those who do.”
Suspected violations of the Academic Integrity Policy should be referred by students to the instructor. If the instructor concludes that a violation of the policy has occurred, the instructor will either (a) penalize the student and file an academic report with the academic Integrity Council, or (b) refer the matter directly to the Academic Integrity Council. If an incident report is filed by the instructor, the instructor will review the competed report with the student and will request that the student sign the report as an indication that the student is aware of the contents of the report.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to the principle of individual rights and responsibilities. To that end, the policies and procedures of NGCSU reasonably ensure that a person with a disability is not, on the basis of that disability, denied full and equal access to and enjoyment of academic programs and co-curricular activities or otherwise subjected to discrimination in such program and activities.
The policies for access by individuals with disabilities at NGCSU are designed to ensure full compliance with all pertinent federal and state regulations, specifically to include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.
To receive disability accommodation, the student should contact the Coordinator of Disability Resources, Office of Academic Support Programs, Room 207 Barnes hall. Approval of reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.