ANTHR 206: Introduction to Archaeology
Term: Fall 2018
Course Time and Location: M/W 10-10:50 am, Tory B-38, Lab Sections Instructor: Andrew Lints
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours and Location: W 2:30 -4:00pm, Tory 13-06, or by appointment Course Website: https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/portal/
Lab Assistants: Katherine Latham ([email protected]), Office Hours: TR 10 – 11 am Erika Sutherland ([email protected]), Office Hours: F 2 – 3 pm Lab Location: Tory 1-28
Prerequisite: None
Course Workload: Two hours of lecture and one hour of laboratory work per week (see schedule below).
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the history, methods, and theoretical approaches used within the field of archaeology. It focuses on the relationship between the archaeological record,
reconstructions of the past, archaeological methods, and the challenges of archaeological explanation. In summary, we will investigate how people today study the past and how the
information they collect is used. This course will also provide a narrative of the human experience by drawing on examples from around the world to explore the practice of archaeology. The
structure of the course includes lectures, hands-on lab activities, and outdoor experimentation with ancient hunting technology.
Objectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Understand methods used by archaeologists to reconstruct the past and why it is done - Understand basic theories used by archaeologists to understand the past
- Understand how information about the past is used to address problems of the future - Build a better understanding of the human experience in the ancient world
Course Requirements
The course is based on materials from the required text and lectures, along with additional films shown during the semester. Students are responsible for textbook materials, lecture materials, and lab materials, although not all parts of the text will be covered in class and not all lectures will be drawn exclusively from the text.
Recommended Text:
Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn
2015 Archaeology Essentials: Theories, Methods, and Practice. 3rd Edition New York: Thames and Hudson (print or ebook version). **The 3rd Edition is recommended but previous versions are acceptable**
Grading Policy
The grades for the course are based on a midterm exam, a final exam, one written assignment, and lab assignments. The course exams will on material drawn from the lectures, and assigned
text/supplementary readings. The final exam is cumulative and will be scheduled for the exam period. Lab assignments are at the end of each topic and the lab exam will cover materials from all the labs throughout the term.
Midterm: October 22nd 20%
Written Assignment: November 7th 10%
Lab Assignments: Due at the end of each Lab Topic 20%
Lab Exam: December 6, 7th 20%
Final Exam (CUMULATIVE): December 17th 30%
At the end of the term, each student's cumulative mark (out of 100%) will be converted onto the following grading scale.
Descriptor Letter Grade Percentage Range Grade Point Value
Excellent A+ 95-100% 4.0
A 90-94% 4.0
A- 85-89% 3.7
Good B+ 81-84% 3.3
B 74-80% 3.0
B- 71-73% 2.7
Satisfactory C+ 67-70% 2.3
C 64-66% 2.0
C- 61-63% 1.7
Poor D+ 56-60% 1.3
Minimal Pass D 50-55% 1.0
Fail F 0-49% 0
Please note that any non-examination written material will be marked partially on style and grammar. When submitting the written assignment, be sure to use spell-check prior to submission and enlist a friend or family member to read over the document prior to submission.
In cases of potentially excusable absences such as illness, notify your instructor(s) by e-mail 24 hours prior to class/lab period. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University
Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the
“attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result.
Penalties for late assignments are 5% per day, not including weekends. Extensions will only be given with documented extenuating circumstances and assignments without extensions will not be accepted three weeks after the deadline. If you miss a lab without proper documentation, you will receive a grade of 0 for that lab assignment unless you can arrange an alternative period to complete
the assignment with the laboratory instructor. Do not ask lab assistants to make up labs if you miss them for non-medical reasons.
If you require special accommodations that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that we can talk about what changes can be made to lecture content and exam structure. If you are not already registered with Student Accessibility Services, contact their office immediately (1-80 SUB; [email protected]; phone 780-492-3381). If issues arise during the semester, I encourage you to bring them to my attention. If accommodations are necessary for exams please bring these to my attention as soon as possible or contact
[email protected] for more information.
Academic Integrity
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the University of Alberta Academic Integrity resources which can be found online at
(https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-resources/academic-integrity) and avoid any behavior that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in
suspension or expulsion from the University.
Academic Honesty:
All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor.
Learning and working environment
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behavior that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behavior is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the student ombudservice:
(http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca). Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL at https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Pages/DispPol.aspx?PID=110 Recording of Lectures:
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved
accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Classroom Environment:
Please disable your speakers or mute your laptops and put your cell phone or smart phone on silent or airplane mode. If a student is found to be engaging in non-course related activities (Facebook, games, etc.) activities during class, their laptop or cell phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of class.
eClass
The course outline and other relevant materials will be posted for viewing or downloading on eClass. Lecture slides will be posted on eClass prior to the lecture, but these are considered to be supplementary material and will not provide all material covered in lecture. If the posted notes are inconsistent with information provided in lecture, the information presented in lecture takes precedence. Do not rely on the posted notes alone. Please contact me if you are unable to access these materials.
Contacting the Instructor:
The best way to contact the instructor is via email or during our office hours. Emails to your instructor and your TA’s should include ANTH206 in the subject line in order to ensure a timely response. Please write your emails in a professional manner. Please use your ualberta email address to avoid being filtered as spam.
ANTHR 206: Topics and Important Dates
Date Topic Readings
Sept 5 Course Introduction No Readings Sept 10
Sept 12 Myths of Archaeology
History of Archaeology No Readings Chapter 1 Sept 17
Sept 19 The Archaeological Record
Survey and Mapping Chapter 2
Chapter 3 Sept 24
Sept 26 Experimental Archaeology
Excavation and Analysis Online Readings (eClass) Chapter 3
Oct 1
Oct 3 Dating Methods: Relative
Dating Methods: Absolute Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Oct 8
Oct 10 Thanksgiving
Environment and Diet - Fauna No Classes Chapter 6 Oct 15 Environment and Diet – Flora Chapter 6 Oct 17
Oct 22 Technology
Midterm Chapter 7
All Previous Lecture Notes Oct 24
Oct 29 Trade and Exchange
Ancient Music and Art Chapter 7 No Readings Oct 31
Nov 5 Human Remains (and Vampires?)
Social Organization Chapter 8
Chapter 5
Nov 7 Cognitive Archaeology Chapter 9 *Blog Assignment Due * Nov 12
Nov 14 Reading Week
Reading Week No Classes
No Classes Nov 19
Nov 21
Ethics and Politics in Archaeology Burials and Cemeteries
Chapter 11
Online Readings (eClass) Nov 26
Nov 28 Dec 3 Dec 5 Dec 17
Guest Lecture – CRM In Alberta Managing Heritage
Film
Review for Final Exam Final Exam**
No Readings Chapter 12 No Readings eClass
All Lecture Materials
Laboratory Schedule
Lab Hours: (Tory 1-28) Katherine Latham H1 – TR 12:30-1:20, H2 – TR 2-2:50 H3 – TR 3:30-4:20
Erika Sutherland H4 – F 9-9:50 H5 – F 10-10:50 H6 – F 12-12:50
DO NOT SWITCH LAB SECTIONS WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE LAB INSTRUCTOR. Under most circumstances, changing lab sections will not be permitted.
Lab Date Lab Topic Sept 13, 14 Introduction Lab
Sept 20, 21 Ancient Hunting Techniques (East Corbett Field) Sept 27, 28 Lithics Part 1
Oct 4, 5 Lithics Part 2 – Assignment Due Oct 11, 12 Pottery Part 1
Oct 18, 19 Pottery Part 2 – Assignment Due Oct 25, 26 Zooarchaeology Part 1
Nov 1, 2 Zooarchaeology Part 2
Nov 8, 9 Zooarchaeology Part 3 – Assignment Due Nov 15, 16 Reading Week
Nov 22, 23 Nov 29, 30 Dec 6, 7
Burials Part 1
Burials Part 2 – Assignment Due Lab Exams (All Lab Materials)
