College of DuPage

Winter 2000

General Archaeology

Anthropology 120 (20158)

General Description

The professor reserves the right to alter this document as he sees fit. However, this document represents, to the best of the instructor's ability, the content and structure of the course as it is envisioned at this time.

Instructor:

Dr. John Staeck IC 2071B 630/942-2022 staeck@cdnet.cod.edu

This course meets: Tuesday in IC 1K between 7:00 and 10:30 PM

Required Texts:

Dibble, McPherron, and Roth, 1999, Virtual Dig: A Simulated Archaeological Excavation of a Middle Paleolithic Site in France. Mayfield.

Hasten, L., 1999, Annual Editions: Archaeology 99/00. Dushkin.

Price, T.D. and G. Feinman, 1997, Images of the Past 2^nd ed. Mayfield.

Optional Texts:

Available upon request.

All texts will be available from the COD bookstore. If you do not wish to use this bookstore, you might also check local shops such as Beck's and Four Seasons, both on Roosevelt Road. There is no guarantee that the books will be available at these other stores, however.

ANTHROPOLOGY 120 (IAI S1 903) from the COD Catalog

General Archaeology

5 credit hours

Introduces general world archaeology as a subfield of anthropology that explores humanity's prehistory, history and present through the study of material remains and the archaeological record of human development from our origins to modern times. Laboratory work involves working with prehistoric and historic materials consisting of skeletal materials, artifacts, site maps, pottery, early writing, media and simulation. Students may also work with material from field archaeology sites in the United States and other regions in the world, and, in some quarters, archaeological field work may be done. This course is taught both in the anthropology lab and the behavioral sciences computer lab. (4 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

SPECIFICS FOR THIS SECTION

The past holds a particular fascination for many people. For some the lives lived, the stories told, and the daily fabric of the lives of past people are especially appealing. It was this sort of person, whomever s/he was, that first undertook what we now call archaeology. During the next 12 weeks we will pursue our own fascinations with the past, its people, and its material. We will examine the discipline of anthropological archaeology, define what it is and is not, and begin to explore what it can tell us about past people. Against this introduction to the discipline we will encounter much in the way of information about the materials of the past and much in the way of reconstructions of past cultures. It is through these remains that we will pursue our study of the past.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

You are subject to all COD codes of behavior, dress, and academic integrity. You are responsible for all material covered in and/or assigned for class regardless of whether or not you attend class. You are, however, expected to attend class daily and to participate in all classroom-related activities (such as discussions). No make-up examinations will be given save by prior agreement or as a consequence of documented emergencies. BE PREPARED TO DOCUMENT YOUR EMERGENCY, should you have one. ( The reason for this is that deliberating delaying the time of an examination allows for the possibility of cheating, the mere specter of which should be avoided.) Cheating, in any form, is unacceptable. I strongly believe in personal honor; your decision to accept COD's code of behavior is reflected in your decision to enroll in COD classes.

GRADING

There will be three in-class examinations, an archaeological computer simulation, a literature review, and a short book critiqu that will determine your grade. Each examination will account for approximately 25% of your final grade while the other assignments will account for an additional 25%.

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