Introduces students to the field of archaeology. Students will gain a basic understanding of the history of archaeology as a discipline, the nature of archaeological data, the core concepts and various methodologies used by archaeologists, and how archaeologists use anthropological theories and approaches to interpret the past.
Athena Title
Intro Arch Theory and Methods
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain the fundamental principles, methods, and techniques of archaeological practice, including survey, excavation, and analytical approaches, in both written and oral formats.
By the end of this course, students will be able to analyze archaeological data (e.g., artifacts, ecofacts, stratigraphy) to reconstruct socio-cultural, economic, and political practices of past societies.
By the end of this course, students will be able to assess contemporary issues in archaeology—including preservation, ethics, and cultural resource management—and articulate their significance for both scholarly practice and modern society.
By the end of this course, students will be able to communicate research findings effectively by producing a written site analysis paper supported with scholarly sources and by delivering an oral presentation to peers.
Topical Outline
1) History of Archaeology
2) Introduction to the Scientific Method
3) Archaeological Theory
4) The Archaeological Record
5) Sampling, Survey, and Excavation
6) Chronological Methods, Stratigraphy, and Site Formation Processes
7) Reconstructing Social Structures and Roles
8) Paleoecology; Reconstructing Environment
9) Subsistence Strategies and Zooarchaeology
10) Technology and Tools
11) Trade and Exchange
12) Bioarchaeology: Health, Disease, and Demographics
13) Archaeology in Practice: Ethics, Cultural Management, and Future Work
