Course Description
Exploration of Old World prehistory from the Paleolithic until the Iron Age. Students will learn about developments that occurred throughout Europe, including hominin relations, agriculture and sedentism, and emerging urbanism. Developments in theories and methods in regard to Old World prehistoric archaeological research will also be discussed.
Athena Title
Old World Archaeology
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students assimilate and analyze information on prehistory on a worldwide scale. Students analyze arguments and theories of world prehistory in order to critically evaluate these arguments and theories of their past. Students should develop a consistent point of view about world prehistory and how it informs their negotiation with the past. Communication of understanding requires review and analysis of written information of world prehistory. Interpretation and production of topical syntheses is important to development of an informed understanding. Computer skills are expected to be enhanced by study of world prehistory as it is resident on the web and in electronic formats. This, of course, will require students to: Assimilate, analyze, and present in written forms a body of information; interpret content of written materials on related topics from various disciplines; and to produce writing that is stylistically appropriate and mature. This will require the ability to utilize the appropriate technology such as: performing web searches, using word processing software, and email to contact instructor with topic of paper, etc. These papers will be discussed in class. Be prepared to support a consistent purpose and point of view as well as analyze all arguments. Student will assimilate, analyze, and present a body of information.
Topical Outline
I. Theory of Prehistory A. Historic background & thought B. Modern & Post-Modern models of the world's past II. Human Evolution and Prehistory A. Hominid antecedents and anatomically modern humans defined B. Hominid dispersal and the peopling of the old world III. Stages of Old World Prehistory A. Paleolithic Cultures B. Mesolithic Cultures C. Neolithic Cultures D. Bronze & Iron Ages IV. Regional Expressions of the Stages of Old World Prehistory A. Asia/SW Asia B. Africa C. Europe
Syllabus