ANTHROPOLOGY 216
PALEOLITHIC AGE
Fall 2010
CLASS TIME/PLACE: M-W-F, 10:30-11:20, King Hall 215
INSTRUCTOR: M.G. MICHLOVIC
(ph-2035 or michlovc@mnstate.edu)
OFFICE AND HOURS:
104 KING HALL, Tue and Thur, 9-12 and 1-3.
TEXTS: electronic readings to be assigned on D2L page.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a prelude to history; the deep background of human
culture. Recorded history accounts for about 1% of the time people have
been on earth, the other 99% of the human story is not recorded in written
documents, but is known primarily through the archaeological record. This
course deals with the archaeological materials that relate to the hundreds of
thousands of years before the time of written history--the time of prehistoric
cultures of the Old Stone Age. Topics considered in the class include: the
first tool makers, the beginning of hunting and meat eating, the "cave
dwellers" of the Ice Age, the art of Paleolithic caves, and the variety of stone
tool industries and life styles of prehistoric peoples. Students will also be
exposed throughout the course to the methods and theories used by
archaeologists to explain the past.
The course is lecture/discussion in format. Lectures will be standard,
although questions and discussion are welcome at any time.
PREREQUISITES: None
COMPETENCIES
Describe social, scientific and historical approaches to the
understanding of human behavior.
Critically analyze objective information and subjective
interpretations
Examine social behavior across a range of historical
periods and cultures.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Provide students with an understanding of:
 the meaning of the Paleolithic
 chronology of Paleolithic Age
 stages in hominid evolution associated with the Paleolithic
 technological features of the Paleolithic
 human behavioral development inferred from physical evidence
 techniques used by archaeologists in studying the Paleolithic
 how to apply knowledge gained in class to understanding new
discoveries from Paleolithic times
EVALUATION:
Students will be evaluated by their performance on exams and other
class assignments. Attendance is at the discretion of students. The
instructor does not provide notes or make-up work for those who miss
class. If you miss an exam, a make-up will be necessary (in case of illness or
emergencies). There will be a penalty for late projects. The final exam will
cover mostly the last portion of the course, but some issues from earlier in
the semester may be included.
REQUIREMENTS:
READINGS: to be assigned in class. You will be asked to write brief
summary statements about selected readings.
PROJECTS:
Students will be provided with archaeological problems to solve and
explain in brief reports. These projects will not involve library
research, but will be based on class materials, including readings.
Short project: Due early October (2+pp) 20pts
Long project: Due early December (5+pp) 50pts
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be two examinations.
Midterm:
October 4, 40pts
Final:
December 13, 12pm. 70pts
Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class
are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 4772131 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure
that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
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