Historical Archeology
Alicia Harding
Historical Archeology HY 155
3 Credits
Spring 2015
Contact Information
Email. aharding@smccme.edu
Office Hours by appointment: TTH before 3:00 or after 6:00, W
before 6:00
It is your responsibility to read the entire syllabus, as you are accountable
for the policies of the class.
Course Description
Historical archaeology is the study of the archaeological remains of literate cultures
throughout the world. Historical archaeologists turn to a variety of disciplines including
history, anthropology, geography, ecology, and biology as they explore the historic
peoples of the world over the last 3,000 years. Students will delve into the origins of
historical archaeology in North America, it's methods, and contributions the field has
made to our understanding of the settlement of the continent since the 11th century. This
course will include hands-on activities using artifacts and documents, a visit to an
archaeological laboratory, and films detailing the excavations at sites such as Jamestown,
Red Bay. This course is offered Spring semester.
Course Specifications
1. Total hours scheduled for class meetings (45)
2. Estimated hours required for outside work;
(Reading, research, watching required videos, etc.) (90)
Credit hours assigned to the course (per catalog listing) (3)
Text and Materials:
Deetz, James (1996) In Small Things Forgotten. 2nd Edition, New York, Anchor Books
Instructor made materials
Movie, Newspapers, journals and access to the internet.
Course Objectives
The student will:
1. Acquire knowledge of the historical basis of archeology and the purpose and intent of
historical archaeology within this framework.
2. Know and apply the methods and techniques of historical archaeology.
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3. Understand and apply the methods of Historical Archaeology
4. How to understand and apply the methods and techniques of archeological inquiry
and study
5. Acquire knowledge of modern archeological inquiry and findings.
6. To visit and appreciate the historical sites in Southern Maine that have contributed to
understanding the everyday lives of the peoples who have lived here.
7. How historical artifacts are identified, organnized, and used as a basis of
archaeological inquirey.
Learning Outcomes
For a more complete list of learning outcomes please consult the college catalogue.
The student will acquire the following skills
Critical Thinking
1. Evaluate information to make educated decisions based on the fusion of experience,
reason, and training.
2. Read and demonstrate understanding of complex ideas by identifying key concepts.
3. Apply theory to practice using problem solving techniques and data analysis.
4. Analyze and evaluate research data to produce a well-reasoned argument or position on
an issue.
5. Synthesize data from multiple sources to create and support a new solution that
considers relevant ethical standards
6. Articulate how their personal growth and development are shaped by ethical choices,
cultural differences and global interconnectedness.
7. Explain their culture within the context of global and cultural diversity.
SMCC students will meet a minimum of at least three out of the following four
competencies.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of cultures that are separated from their own by both time and
space and demonstrate the significant connections between the contemporary world
and past peoples, events and societies. 21
2. Explain how the social sciences help us understand the interactions of societies -locally,
regionally, nationally and globally.
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3. Recognize cultural and individual differences that underlie the complexities of human
behavior.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of political and/or economic systems and ways they are
globally connected.
Critical Thinking:
SMCC students evaluate information to make educated decisions based
on the fusion of experience, reason, and training.
(Level I, Introductory)
1. Read and demonstrate understanding of complex ideas by
identifying key concepts.
2. Apply theory to practice using problem solving techniques and
data analysis.
(Level II, Reinforce)
3. Analyze and evaluate research data to produce a well-reasoned
argument or position on an issue.
4. Synthesize data from multiple sources to create and support a new
solution that considers relevant ethical standards.
Citizenship in a Global Society:
SMCC students can articulate how their personal growth and
development are shaped by their own value choices, cultural differences
and global interconnectedness.
1. SMCC students can explain their culture within the context of global
and cultural diversity.
(SMCC students will meet a minimum of at least three out of the following
four competencies.)
2. SMCC students can demonstrate knowledge of cultures that are
separated from their own by both time and space and
demonstrate the significant connections between the
contemporary world and past peoples, events and societies.
3. SMCC students can explain how the social sciences help us
understand the interactions of societies - locally, regionally,
nationally and globally.
4. SMCC students can recognize cultural and individual differences
that underlie the complexities of human behavior.
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5. SMCC students can demonstrate knowledge of political and/or
economic systems.
Course Requirements:
1. Read assigned texts and instructor prepared materials.
2. Complete assignments including tests, major presentations, quizzes, film
questions, worksheets and other assignments.
3. Written work submitted must be neatly typed, grammatically correct and
demonstrate a logical sequence of thought.
4. You are required to attend all classes for the full class period and to complete
all assignments on time, to actively listen and to participate in all class activities.
5. There will be frequent quizzes on the text and the assigned reading
6. Quizzes, film questions and routine work should be kept in a folder. This folder is
due the last week of class. The table of contents listing all expected work will be
given to you two weeks prior to the folder’s due date.
7. Familiarity with the MySMCC website, I use it often to post assignments class
documents, and announcements, I may also send you information via your
school email.
8. Regularly check and use the SMCC email. (This is the only way I can
communicate with you outside of class.
Grading Criteria
1.60 % Tests and major papers and presentations.
2. 30% Assigned work and quizzes (see #6 of class requirements).
3. 10% Class participation includes attendance, promptness and participation in class
activities and discussions.
SMCC grading criteria will be used in determining the grade for the class.
Attendance Policy: As stated you are expected to attend every class for the full class
period. After the second absence I am required by school policy to report it as an AF
(Attendance Failure) If you are absent I recommend that you ask for any missed
assignments. There are two categories of excused absence: 1-Documented
accommodations from the SMCC disabilities office or documented abduction by aliens.
All assignments are due on the date stipulated when the assignment is given. If you are
not in class it is your responsibility to get the assignment either from a classmate or me,
my email is listed above. I do not give extensions, incompletes, or make-up exams,
except in cases allowed for by SMCC policy. If you email me an assignment it must arrive
one hour before the beginning of class on the due date.
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If you are interacting with your electronic device during class I may ask you to leave
and it will count as an absence.
Teaching Procedures
The format for each class is lectures with accompanying unit activity packets that
includes the lecture outline and all assignments for that unit.
Student Participation in the form of discussions, presentations of journal articles, site
visits, completion of outlines, study sheets and questions on the readings
Films and short videos
Chapter quizzes
2-3 Tests /Journal Article Presentations (including the final)
Topics Covered
History of Archeology
Definition of Historical Archaeology
Tools and Methods
Current Historical Archaeology Findings
Modern North American and Indian archeology
Expected Student Behavior
1. Attend all classes
2. On time, if you must leave the class do so quietly and with as little disruption as
possible.
3. No eating or drinking.
4. Be respectful of and attentive to the speaker.
5. All electronic devices are turned off during the class.
6. Appropriate language
Attendance policy
 2 absences constitute a report to the registrar office of an
Attendance Failure. I am required to report this to the registrar
office as an AF (academic failure).
 On time and stay for entire class (3 tardies constitute an absence on
the day of the third tardy)
Policy on assignments:
All assignments are due on the date stipulated when the assignment is given. If you
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are not in class it is your responsibility to get the assignment either from a classmate
or me, my phone number and email are listed above.
Expected Student Behavior
1. Attend all classes
2. On time, if you must leave the class do so quietly and with as little disruption as
possible.
3. No eating or drinking.
4. Be respectful of and attentive to the speaker.
5. All electronic devices are turned off during the class.
6. Appropriate language
Folder due last week of class-April 29
School and Government Policies
Disability Access Statement
Services for Students with Disabilities
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Southern Maine Community College is
committed to helping qualified students with disabilities achieve their individual
educational goals. Upon request and verification of the disability, SMCC will provide
service coordination and reasonable accommodations to remediate the competitive
disadvantage that a disability can create in the educational setting.
Disability services are available through the Student Services Office.
Affirmative Action Statement
Southern Maine Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and/or preference, disability, or age or
marital, parental or veteran’s status in its programs and activities.
9Affirmative Action
It is a goal of the College to act affirmatively to admit and serve students from
traditionally under-represented groups. The College embraces the educational
values served by a diverse student body. All applicants are evaluated for
admission based on the criteria and standards established for College programs.
Ethical Behavior Statement
Southern Maine Community College requires all students to adhere to high standards of
integrity in their academic work. Activities such as cheating on exams.
Since each class is different the assignments, schedules and requirements may be
adjusted to meet the distinctive attributes of this semester’s course.
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I am looking forward to working with you and I hope the enjoyment of learning will be a
part of every classroom experience.
Historical Archeology Assignment Schedule
You will be given a packet at the beginning of each unit of study, it
includes the lecture outlines, film questions, worksheets and other details
of the assignments. These should be kept and compiled in your folder.
A cautionary note, things happen; classes are cancelled, a unit takes
longer than planned, something new comes along etc. The assignment
schedule is intended as a guide rather than a rigid timetable. The main
page on the class web page provides updates, handouts and due dates all
are listed under the appropriate places.
Weeks 1-5
Introduction &
Procedures in
Archaeology
Weeks 610
Journal Article
Reports &
Practice in
Archaeological
inquiry
Weeks 1114
Site visits
Week 15
Final
Presentations
on Journal
Article
Assignments Quizzes are given
in the Deetz at the end of each
Text,
assignment
Newspaper Article
Report
Homework
includes
Monuments
Worksheet,
cemetery
visits and
Museum
Visit
A visit to the Folders Due
historical
homes in
Portland
Test will be given at the
end of the Unit
The cemetery visit and chapter 4 in the text will be
assigned concurrently and depend on weather
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Highlights of History of Archaeology
Instructor: Alicia Harding
Contact Information:
email: aharding@smccme.edu (This is the only way I have of contacting you).
Office Hours by appointment: Before or After class, TTH before
3:00 or after 6:00, W before 6:00
For details of policy, class procedures, schedules and expectations
refer to the syllabus as posted on the class website.
Attendance policy
 2 absences constitute a failing grade -Reported to Registrar as AF
 On time and stay for entire class (3 tardies constitute an absence on
the day of the third tardy)
Grading Criteria
Tests, oral presentations and major papers……… 60%
Attendance and class participation…………………… 10%
Quizzes, film questions, worksheets …….30%
Policy on assignments:
All assignments are due on the date stipulated when the assignment is given. If you
are not in class it is your responsibility to get the assignment either from a classmate
or me, my phone number and email are listed above.
Folder Due April 29
It is your responsibility to check your school email and the class website
regularly for updates.
All electronic devices must be turned off when
you are in class. If you use an electronics
device in class I may ask you to leave.
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