ANTHROPOLOGY Faculty of Arts 1 - University of Alberta

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ANTHROPOLOGY Faculty of Arts

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ANTHR 219: World Prehistory B1

Term: 2020 – Summer (July 6 – Aug 12)

Course Time and Location: Recorded lectures MWF on eclass Instructor: Dr. J. Jeffrey Werner (Jeff)

Office Hours and Location: By appointment via google hangouts Course Description

World Prehistory explores the long-term biological and cultural history of humans as understood from the fossil and archaeological record. The content of the course begins nearly 7 million years ago with the earliest human ancestors in Africa and the origins and early evolution of culture during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. From there, topics include the origins of food production and the development of pastoralism and/or agriculture in different regions of the world. The course then turns to the emergence of the world’s earliest cities and state-level societies, including topics such as monumental architecture, divine rule, and various forms of social control. World Prehistory is intended for those with no background in archaeology and is designed to present a global overview of archeological periods and cultures as well as a brief review of some of the key techniques and theories of the discipline. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Text: Weekly readings will be made available on eclass.

Grading Policy

The grades for the course are based on two take-home exams and an assignment. The course exams will focus on material drawn from the lectures, assigned text/supplementary readings, and films. All exams will be administered remotely. The final exam is non-cumulative.

Take Home Midterm: Wednesday July 22 40%

Take Home Final: Wednesday August 12 40%

Comparative Assignment: Due Wednesday August 12 20%

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2 At the end of the term, each student's cumulative mark (out of 100%) will be converted to a final grade on the letter grade 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

Classroom Policy

Required Notes:

“Policy about course outlines can be found in the “Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.”

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 provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour 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.”

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 behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:

• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour 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.

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3 For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the Office of the Student Ombuds. Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL.

Academic Honesty:

All students should consult the information provided by the Student Conduct &

Accountability Office 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.

An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .

Recording of Lectures:

Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, 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. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course 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).

Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:

Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Calendar regarding Attendance and Examinations sections of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for any exams or assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result.

Student Accessibility Services:

If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you are not already registered with Assesibility Resources, contact their office immediately (1-80 SUB; Email [email protected]; phone 780-492-3381).

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4 Online Materials:

Recorded lectures will be posted on eclass on MWF. The lectures will remain online for the duration of the semester, so they can be viewed according to your own schedule.

However, I recommend that you watch them as they become available to avoid being overloaded.

Contacting the Instructor:

The best way to contact me is via email during business hours. Emails should include ANTH 219 in the subject line in order to ensure a timely response. Please use your

@ualberta.ca email address to avoid being filtered as spam. If you would like to speak to me “in person”, please contact me via email so we can organize a google hangouts meeting.

Course schedule:

Lecture Date Topic

1 July 6 Introduction to course

2 July 8 Fundamentals of archaeology

3 July 10 Archaeological History

4 July 13 Dating Techniques

5 July 15 Hominin Origins

6 July 17 Human Origins

7 July 20 Neanderthals

8 July 22 The Origins of Domestication - Midterm

9 July 24 The Spread of Agriculture

10 July 27 Growing Social Complexity

11 July 29 Early States: Mesopotamia

12 July 31 Early States: Egypt

- Aug 3 No Class

13 Aug 5 Early States: China

14 Aug 7 Early States: Aztecs

15 Aug 10 Early States: Maya

16 Aug 12 Review + Final Exam