Course Description
How to initiate archaeological research in the context of Archaeological Resource Management, and how to create a successful report. Students will become acquainted with all steps in the process through hands-on accomplishment of each task. The course trains project managers for actual ARM projects with firms in the United States.
Athena Title
ARCH RSCH & REPORTS
Prerequisite
ANTH 7001
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to conduct a complete and successful archaeological field project, in the context of ARM in the United States, from proposal through fieldwork, personnel management, artifact and environmental analysis, and report writing. In short, the student will be prepared for a position as a Project Manager in any of the large and growing number of ARM firms in the United States. In all of this, the emphasis will be on creating new knowledge about past societies for a better Anthropological understanding of past human societies.
Topical Outline
1. Writing a successful proposal using adequate and appropriate background research, including Site File and CRM Report investigations, as well as integrating goals with existing Regional Context Studies. 2.Understand and implement field logistical preparation to include both equipment and personnel. 3.Successfully carrying out directing of fieldwork and management of a small crew. 4.Identifying issues that are apt to adversely affect field operations and learning methods of mitigation of these issues. 5.Directing analysis of artifacts recovered from a field project. 6.Understand issues involved in assembling a final Report. 7.Working with multiple agencies and key individuals for permits, compliance issues, and artifact curation. 8.Managing completion of one project while initiating another. 9.Explaining what new information has been gleaned by the project to both the scientific community and the general public in appropriate forums.