I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group VI: Historical and Cultural Studies
Dept/Program
Anthropology
Course #
Course Title
Prerequisite
Archaeological Wonders of the World
None
Credits
ANTH 252
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
8/21/08
Instructor
Kelly J. Dixon
Phone / Email
406.243.2450
Program Chair
John Douglas
Dean
Jerry Fetz
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Anyone on campus may take this course. It is intended to provide students [representing a
variety of majors, backgrounds, and experiences] with an in-depth understanding of some of the
world’s most remarkable and famous archaeological discoveries. Due to the diverse temporal
and geographic range of such findings, the course examines a chronological range that spans
the past four million years on a global geographic scale. After taking this class, students are
expected to better understand the ways in which those discoveries can be examined as case
studies of issues influencing the modern world (e.g., climate change, regional and global
economic networks, overpopulation, hunger, etc). Moreover, after taking this course, students
will be armed with the ability to critically evaluate archaeological and historical findings they
observe in mainstream media and professional journals.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Courses teach students how to: present ideas
and information with a view to understanding
the causes, development, and consequences of
historical events; evaluate texts or artifacts
within their historical and/or cultural contexts;
and analyze human behavior, ideas, and
institutions within their respective historical
and/or cultural contexts.
By examining archaeological remains (e.g.,
artifacts, ecofacts, skeletal material) as well
as ancient texts when appropriate, this course
provides students with an understanding of
historical events and related environmental
contexts related to the erection of some of
the world’s most famous monuments and
archaeological sites (e.g., Pyramids of Giza,
Stonehenge, Easter Island, King Tut’s tomb
and other findings in the Valley of the Kings,
Çatalhöyük, Pompeii, the Iceman, Kennewick
Man, among others). When appropriate, we
The course justification should explain the
approach and focus with respect to its
chronological, geographical, and/or topical
content. A methodological component (e.g.
historiography or ethnography) must be
apparent.
will study the field notebooks and related
publications of archaeologists associated
with these findings and discuss methods and
approaches to the construction of the
extensive timeline of human (and prehuman)
history/prehistory on this planet.
The focus is the entire world and the entire
span of time during which humans have
existed and left archaeological remains. The
methodology is archaeological and
ethnographic.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Synthesize ideas and information with a
view to understanding the causes and
consequences of historical developments and
events;
2. evaluate texts or artifacts within their
historical and/or cultural contexts;
3. analyze human behavior, ideas, and
institutions within their respective historical
and/or cultural contexts.
. The learning goals for this course are
dedicated to examining archaeological
remains and ancient forms of writing when
appropriate, to study the timeline of human
interaction with the environment – including
attempts to control the natural world and to
construct built environments in the name of
survival, adaptation, and political authority,
to name a few. By comparing different
cultures and their archaeological
remains/achievements, it is possible to give
students the tools to understand the longterm consequences of human behavior and
decision-making. The bulk of historical
events and developments we study are
associated with some of the world’s most
famous monuments and archaeological sites,
which ends up providing students with a
type of mnemonic device for retrieving
information about the complexities of the
“human timeline.”
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.
ANTHROPOLOGY 252
Archaeological Wonders of the
World
COURSE SYLLABUS
THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
SPRING 2009
MWF 9:10-10:00 AM
COURSE WEBSITE: http://www.cas.umt.edu/departments/anthropology/courses/anth252/default.htm
INSTRUCTOR: Kelly J. Dixon
Office:
Social Sciences Building, Room 235
Telephone:
406.243.2450
Email:
kelly.dixon@mso.umt.edu
Office hours: MWF 11:00 am- 12:00 pm and by appointment
________________________________________________________________________
Course Description: Archaeology covers more than four
million years to study past human cultures through ruins and
other physical remains.
This course highlights major
archaeological discoveries on a on a worldwide, environmental,
political,
and
economic
scale
and
will
examine
how
archaeology evolved from a curiosity, into a pursuit of high
adventure, and finally, to a science. Students will reflect upon
how such findings shed light on the dynamic timeline of human
existence and will learn how to think critically about recent
archaeological and historical findings presented in professional
journals and in mainstream media.
________________________________________________________________________
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Images of the Past (2004, 5th Edition) by T. Douglas Price and Gary M. Feinman.
Mayfield-McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK:
Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (2006, 6th
Edition) by Kenneth L. Feder. Mayfield-McGraw-Hill Publishing Company.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED READINGS FOR THIS COURSE INCLUDE A FEW SELECTIONS
FROM THE BOOK, Stones, Bones, and Ancient Cities by Lawrence H. Robbins. The
assigned selections from this book are posted on our course website; just peruse the
schedule and you will find them as links on the appropriate dates. We will also examine
new discoveries presented in professional journals as appropriate and as they are made
available.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
This course meets for 50 minutes, three days a week, throughout the semester. Class
meetings will include lectures, films, in-class activities/discussions, and weekly quizzes.
Students may be required to participate in class by sharing their ideas with the rest of the
class in informal discussions. Also, students can gain participation points when they are
periodically asked to answer a certain question or when they are asked to outline what
they learned in class that day by jotting down a few notes and turning them in to the
instructor.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance will be taken frequently and will help make decisions about a student’s final
grade in borderline cases. Also, there will be some in-class projects and participation
exercises that require attendance to get full points.
GRADES:
Quizzes* (12 quizzes; students can drop 2)
100 points
Final Exam**
100 points
Participation (includes in-class exercises)
100 points
_____________________________________________________
TOTAL
300 points (300 points = 100%)
The plus/minus system will be used and will be based upon the following average scores:
A (100-95%), A- (94-90%), B+ (89-88%), B (87-83%), B- (82-80%), C+ (79-78%), C
(77-73%), C- (72-70%), D+ (69-68%), D (67-63%), D- (62-60%), F (59% or less).
* There will be no make-up quizzes; students are allowed to drop their two lowest-scoring quizzes.
**Make-up exams will be given ONLY in cases of verified and unavoidable emergencies. You must
notify me IN ADVANCE if you are unable to take the regularly scheduled exam.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
The Department of Anthropology is committed to equal opportunity in education for all
students, including those with documented physical disabilities or documented learning
disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with
documented disabilities to contact instructors DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE
SEMESTER to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading,
classroom experiences, and outside assignments. The instructor will meet with the
student and the staff of the Disability Services for Students (DSS) to make
accommodations. Please contact Jim Marks in DSS (243.2373, Lommasson Center 154)
for more information.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week 1
January 23
Chapter 1
January 25
Chapter 4
(W) Course Introduction
Assigned Readings
Optional: Images of the Past
(F)
Optional: Frauds, Myths
Hoaxes & the Search for Human Origins
Week 2
Assigned Readings
January 28
(M) 30 Years of Leakey Persistence at Olduvai Images of the Past pp. 56-62 in
Chapter 2
January 30
(W) Discovery of Lucy
Images of the Past pp.
44-47 in Chapter 2
Optional: Images of the Past pp.
48-49 in Chapt. 2
February 1
(F) Out of Africa
Images of the Past pp. 90-94, in
Chapter 3
Week 3
February 4
in Chapter 3
February 6
in Chapter 3
February 8
Week 4
February 11
February 13
Chapter 2
(M) Who were the Neanderthals?
Assigned Readings
Images of the Past pp. 105-116
(W) Neanderthals, continued
Images of the Past pp. 117-122
(F) Neanderthals on Trial or Search for Neanderthal
Assigned Readings
To be announced
Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities
(M) Hobbits in Indonesia – REALLY?
(W) Culture and the Upper Paleolithic
(download link from course
website)
February 15
in Chapter 4
(F)
Week 5
February 18
February 20
pp.143-144
February 22
145-152;
Assigned Readings
(M) No Class – Washington-Lincoln Day, HOLIDAY
(W) Discovery of “Cro-Magnon”
Optional: Images of the Past
(F)
Upper Paleolithic Art: Europe and Africa Images of the Past pp. 123-140
End of the Ice Age/Ice Age Crossings
Images of the Past pp. 95-97,
Optional: Frauds, Myths
Chapter 5
Week 6
February 25
in Chapter 4
February 27
Assigned Readings
(M) Kennewick Man/ Peopling of the Americas Images of the Past pp. 153-155
(W) Transition to the Neolithic:
A Worldwide Perspective 10k years ago
in Chapters 4 & 5
February 29
(F) Discoveries at Jericho and Çatalhöyük
223-227 in Ch. 6
Week 7
March 3
in Chapter 6
March 5
March 7
in Chapter 10
Images of the Past pp. 156-162
Images of the Past pp. 217-219,
(M) Origins of Agriculture and Domestication
Assigned Readings
Images of the Past pp. 195-209
(W) The Lure of Lost Cities
(F) Lost Cities in the Ancient Near East I
To be announced
Images of the Past pp. 425-441
Week 8
March 10
March 12
pp. 194-196
(M) Lost Cities in the Ancient Near East II
(W) The Origins of Writing
Assigned Readings
To be announced
Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities
(download link from course
website)
March 14
in Chapter 10
Week 9
March 17
in Chapter 10
March 19
pp. 197-200
(F) The Ancient Harappan Civilization
Images of the Past pp. 442-449
(M) Ancient Egypt: Lost Empires, Pyramids
Assigned Readings
Images of the Past pp. 450-461
(W) Hieroglyphs & the Rosetta Stone
Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities
(download link from course
website)
March 21
(F) Discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities pp. 88-97
(download link from course
website)
Week 10
March 24
March 26
March 28
Assigned Readings
No Classes – Spring Break
Week 11
Assigned Readings
March 31
(M) Mysteries of Egypt; Myths, Adventurers, Plunderers Optional: Frauds,
Myths pp. 216-226
April 2
(W) Topic to be announced
April 4
(F) Transition to European Discoveries
Images of the Past pp. 497-508
in Chapter 11
Meet Ötzi, the Iceman (or Iceman: Hunt for a Killer)
Week 12
Assigned Readings
April 7
(M) Bronze Age, Troy (Troy: Beyond the Movie) Images of the Past pp. 521-530
Stones, Bones,
in Chapter 10
Ancient Cities pp. 98-107
(download link from course
website)
April 9
pp. 108-119
(W) Pompeii (Beyond the Shadow of Vesuvius) Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities
(download link from course
website)
April 11
in Chapter 11
(F) Mysteries of Stonehenge
Images of the Past pp. 513-520
Week 13
Assigned Readings
April 14
(M) Discoveries of Royal Tombs in China
Images of the Past pp. 470-475
in Chapter 10
April 16
(W) Marvels of Ancient Mesoamerica I
Images of the Past pp. 315-319,
349-360, 363-369
April 18
(F) Marvels of Ancient Mesoamerica II
Images of the Past pp. 348, 361-362,
370-379 in Chapt. 8
Lost Kingdoms of the Maya
Week 14
April 28
April 30
in Chapter 9
May 2
in Chapter 9
(M) Easter Island
(W) South American Wonders
Assigned Readings
To be Announced
Images of the Past pp. 381-384
(F) Machu Picchu and Incan Mummies
Images of the Past pp. 411-420
Inca Mummies: Secrets of a Lost World
385-410
Week 15
May 5
Chapter 7
May 7
in Chapter 6
May 9
pp. 120-134
(M) The Power of Myth: Atlantis
Optional: Images of the Past pp.
Assigned Readings
Optional: Frauds, Myths
(W) Myths, Moundbuilders of North America Images of the Past pp. 278-283
(F) The Lost City of Zimbabwe
Optional: Frauds, Myths
Chapter 6
Stones, Bones, Ancient Cities
(download link from course
website)
____________________________________________________________________________
May ? (MWF?)
Final Exam
Final Exam Time Slot: 10:1012:10