Course Prefix/Number: ANT 3101
Course Title: Principles of Archaeology
Online Section, Fall 2010
Course Credit Hours: 3
Instructor Name and Contact Information:
Norma Harris
Research Associate
Pensacola Campus
Building 89, Archaeology Institute
Email: nharris@uwf.edu*
Phone: (850) 474-2796
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Patricia McMahon
Email: plm14@students.uwf.edu
*see “Class Communication Protocol” below
This course is delivered completely online. You must have consistent
access to the Internet.
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: None
Course Description: Principles of Archaeology briefly explores all levels of
archaeological excavation, interpretation, theory and ethics. This class introduces
students to the basic skills necessary in every aspect of archaeological research including
fieldwork, laboratory classification, and analysis. An examination of modern paradigms
accepted in American Archaeology provides a theoretical context in which to relate their
new skills. The presentation of both methods and theories will illustrate the reality of
doing archaeology in the modern world.
ANT3101 is required for all Anthropology majors and minors and all Maritime Studies
majors and is a prerequisite for many other archaeology courses including both
Maritime and Terrestrial Field Methods classes.
Goals: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
-define anthropological archaeology
-describe what archaeologists do and how they do it
-relate the historical development of archaeology in the US
-contrast modern theoretical perspectives and begin to determine which is best for
them
-recognize basic recording skills necessary in field and lab
-integrate and combine skills in order to interpret archaeological research
scenarios
-apply modern ethical considerations to archaeological issues
Course Syllabus
This course is delivered completely online. See the eLearning Student Orientation link in
your ARGUS portal, or see a copy of this guide in the Important Course Information
section of this class.
Learning at a distance may be a very different environment for many of you. You will
generally set your own schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and
work at your own pace. You may spend some additional time online during the first few
weeks while you become acclimated to the online class format and you may feel
overwhelmed. You should also be prepared to spend approximately 5 - 7 hours per week
online completing lessons, activities, and participating in class discussions. Finally, you
may want to incorporate these tips to help you get started:
-Set yourself a schedule -- check the course web site early in the class week to see
what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.
-Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help you
learn!
-Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and questions you
might have. Check the "Classlist" link ? for biography info and email addresses.
-Ask questions when you need answers. If you have instructional problems,
contact your instructor. If you have technical problems, contact the UWF
Helpdesk at: 850.474.2075
Topics and Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the following session topics, students will be able to address the
following:
1. Anthropological Archaeology:
a. Trace and discuss the genesis of American Archaeology and its
development into the modern discipline.
b. Outline and discuss ethics and standards.
c. Illustrate American Archaeology’s place within the larger discipline of
Anthropology.
d. Define key terms in Anthropology.
e. Compare and contrast modern theoretical paradigms.
2. The Structure of Archaeological Inquiry:
a. Define archaeological data and methods of data collection.
b. Outline appropriate methods for archaeological fieldwork.
c. Differentiate between low, middle and high level theory.
d. Explain laboratory classification methods.
e. Compare and contrast theories and paradigms inside and outside of
academic archaeology.
f. Construct and apply artifact classification systems to a data set.
3. Doing Fieldwork
a. Define archaeological data and methods of data collection.
b. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
c. Apply new technologies to archaeological research projects.
d. Recognize the levels of archaeological fieldwork and choose the
appropriate level for any set of circumstances.
e. Explain the reasons for, and uses of specialization in archaeological
research.
f. Use the appropriate set of tools in order to gather needed data.
4. Geoarchaeology and Site Formation Processes:
a. Demonstrate an understanding of geological principles used in
archaeology, including principles of stratigraphy, superposition,
intersection, uniformitarianism, and artifact association.
b. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
c. Recognize the levels of archaeological fieldwork and choose the
appropriate level for any set of circumstances.
5. Chronology Building:
a. Decide appropriate dating techniques for archaeological materials.
b. Interpret artifact and site chronologies.
6. Dimensions of Archaeological Time, Space and Form:
a. Define archaeological data and methods of data collection.
b. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
c. Compare and contrast patterns in human behavior.
d. Compare and contrast experiments with actual physical data.
e. Apply new technologies to archaeological research projects.
f. Explain the reasons for, and uses of specialization in archaeological
research.
7. Taphonomy, Experimental Archaeology and Ethnoarchaelogy:
a. Define specific terms relating to the above.
b. Construct examples of each of the above.
c. Explain the reasons for, and uses of specialization in archaeological
research.
8. People, Plants and Animals in the Past:
a. Define archaeological data and methods of data collection.
b. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
c. Construct artifact classification systems.
d. Explain the reasons for, and uses of specialization in archaeological
research.
e. Explore individual interest in archaeological specializations.
f. Discuss ethics and standards in human skeletal analysis.
9. Reconstructing Social and Political Systems of the Past:
a. Define key terms in Anthropology.
b. Define archaeological data and methods of data collection.
c. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
d. Apply broader anthropological concepts to the practice of archaeology.
10. The Archaeology of the Mind:
a. Define Cognitive Archaeology.
b. Recognize symbols used throughout human history.
c. Apply broader anthropological concepts to the practice of archaeology.
d. Recognize limitations in archaeological inquiry.
e. Discuss ‘agendas’ in scientific interpretations.
f. Discuss ethics and standards in modern archaeological interpretation.
11. Understanding Key Transitions in World Prehistory:
a. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
b. Apply broader anthropological concepts to the practice of archaeology.
c. Examine important landmarks in human prehistory and relate to modern
culture.
d. Compare differing theories of cultural evolution.
12. Historical Archaeology:
a. Trace and discuss the genesis of American Archaeology and its
development into the modern discipline.
b. Illustrate American Archaeology’s place within the larger disciplines of
Anthropology and History.
c. Recognize and relate examples of appropriate research questions.
d. Explain the reasons for specialization in archaeological research.
e. Illustrate interdisciplinary nature of Historical Archaeology.
f. Discuss ethical treatment of ‘ancestor’ communities.
13. Caring for America’s Heritage:
a. Outline and discuss CRM laws, ethics and standards.
b. Recognize the levels of archaeological fieldwork and choose the
appropriate level for any set of circumstances.
c. Explain the reasons for specialization in archaeological
research.
14. Archaeology’s Future:
a. Compare and contrast ethical issues in modern archaeology.
b. Discuss the role of everyone in public archaeology education.
c. List and define opportunities for archaeologists in the present and
future.
Texts:
Required text:
Archaeology, 5th edition (or latest edition). Robert L. Kelly and David H. Thomas
(authors). Wadsworth publishers, 2010. ISBN 9780495602910
Optional but Recommended text:
Annual Editions: Archaeology, 9th Edition
McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2009
ISBN 9780078127748
Other Required Materials:
Internet Access
E-mail Account
Grading / Evaluation:
The course grade will be determined as follows:
Test 1: 60 points
Test 2: 60 points
Special exercises: 160 points; 40 points each for four exercises highlighting
archaeological methods.
Final Exam: 100 points
Quizzes/Opinion Papers: 20 points total; 10 points each for six opinion papers or quizzes.
Total: 400 points
Bonus Opinion Papers: 20 points total; two optional papers for 10 points each. These will
be randomly posted during the semester.
Grade point values are on a standard scale:
Letter Grade = % Of Point spread:
A = 90-100% of 400 points (360 – 400)
B = 89-80% of 400 points (320 – 359)
C = 79-70% of 400 points (280 – 319)
D = 69-60% of 400 points (240 – 279)
F = less than 60% of 400 points (239 or less)
Extra Credit Opportunities:
During the semester, there MAY be some extra credit opportunities advertised in advance
by the instructor. All extra credit points must be approved in advance by the instructor.
There is no guarantee that any extra credit will be offered, so you cannot depend on
accumulating extra points above your regular assignments. There are usually some
museum visits or public lectures available for credit. These will normally be within
driving distance of the Pensacola campus, but there may be other, more distant
destinations that will be accepted by the instructor. Because this is an online class, there
will be students enrolled who live outside of the immediate area, so I will try to find some
appropriate venues for extra credit nearer to your home, but I cannot promise to find an
opportunity near each and every one of you. Each opportunity offered will be explained
in detail under the Important Course Information heading when your class is activated.
IMPORTANT! Class Communication Protocol:
You can expect to have access to the instructor by phone during regular posted office
hours, or by appointment. My office hours for Fall 2010 are Wednesdays from 9:00am to
1:00pm. You can contact me by email directly at nharris@uwf.edu and please allow 24
hours for an answer, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. Do not depend on an
immediate answer by email. Do not expect an answer to emails or phone calls on
weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Please respect these limits.
Special Technology Utilized by Students:
This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the
WWW. In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email with
attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload / download files.
In addition, students may need one or more of the following plugins:
Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22B51F-4910-93FC-4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en
Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real Player: http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/
RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl
Macromedia Flash Player: http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?
P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
Academic Conduct Policy: See Orientation Guide
Plagiarism Policy: See Orientation Guide
Student Handbook: See Orientation Guide
ASSISTANCE:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other courserelated accommodations should contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student
Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter
for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations.