ANTHROPOLOGY 215 SYLLABUS
Introduction to Prehistoric Archeology, 3 credits
Fall 2007 (September 4-December 13, 2007)
Lecture 1: 2:00 PM –3:15 PM, Monday and Wednesday, Room 213 Wood Hall
Final Exam: December 20, 1:00-3:00 PM, Room 213 Wood Hall
Instructor: Janet Speth
Office: Mary Ann Cofrin Hall (MAC), B327
Office Hours: 1:00-2:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday or by appointment
e-mail: jspeth@uwc.edu or spethj@uwgb.edu
Phone: 465-2
Anthropology 215 will introduce you to human prehistory, from the evolution and cultures of early hominids to the rise of complex societies and urban civilizations. We will look at archeological techniques and theories that allow us to decipher the archeological record.
TEXTS
There is one text for the course.
Chazan, World Prehistory and Archaeology
CLASS MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATION
Students should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings. In other words, read the pages assigned for that day before you come to class. The first class meeting is, of course, an exception. Lectures will be supplemented with slides and videos. Questions about readings or lectures are welcomed and appreciated. Attendance will not be taken, but people who attend classes regularly and participate in the class do better than people who try to learn the material on their own. I have developed a D2L website for the class that contains outlines and information presented in the class. This is primarily for students who are forced to miss a class through illness or other commitment, and is not intended to substitute for attending class. The material covered in this class spans millions of years and six continents, so don’t expect to receive a B for minimal effort.
EXAMS
Two exams worth 60 points each will be given during the course of the semester and one final exam worth 60 points given at the end of the semester. The final is not a cumulative test. Make-up exams will be scheduled for emergencies only. I must know before the exam that you have an emergency in order to reschedule your examination. If you have scheduled a make-up exam and miss that make-up, you will lose your chance to make that exam up. The three exams will account for 180 points of your grade.
PROJECTS
The class projects, worth 30 points of the final grade, will be due on Dec. 5. The project will consist of a four page, typed report on any topic in which you are interested that pertains to archeology. If you are in doubt about a topic, check with me. You may certainly write more than four pages, but if you write less than four pages you will not receive full credit. All papers must include a references cited page and include citations
SYLLABUS CHANGES
Any changes made to this syllabus will be handed out in class; however, it is the student’s responsibility to stay up-to-date and informed of the changes.
GRADES
There is a total of 210 possible points for this class. Two exams will be given during the semester and one exam will be given during the final examination period. The final will not be cumulative and will cover the last third of the course. Each exam will be worth 60 points.
Exams (3) 180 points
Class Projects 30 points
TOTAL 210 points
A, A- 189-210 points
B+, B, B- 168-188.5 points
C+, C, C- 147-167.5 points
D+, D, D- 126-146.5 points
F below 126 points
If you are having trouble with the material in the class, please come and see me as soon as possible. Do not wait until the midterm grades are determined! There are opportunities for extra credit, such as lectures, and these will be announced in class.
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. All suspected incidents of academic misconduct shall be handled using the UW System Rules, Chapter 14. UWS 14 is available to all students on-line.
I hope that you enjoy your semester here at
a) be familiar with current research and thinking on hominid evolution
b) understand how archeologists obtain and analyze their information
c) relate archeology to anthropology, and
d) be familiar with the human past as it is illuminated by archeology
ASSESSMENT
Date
Topic
Week 1
Sept. 5 Class logistics, Anthropology and Archeology pp. 1-5, 38-61
Week 2
Sept. 10 Archeological terms pp. 7-29, 32-35
Sept. 12 Archeological techniques – film
Week 3
Sept. 17 Dating Techniques pp. 29-31, 88, 100, 131, 145, 238, 309, 429
Sept. 19 Orrorin film pp. 63-71
Archeological form assignment due
Week 4
Sept. 24 Australopithecine archeology, flint knapping pp. 74-101
Sept. 26 Lower Paleolithic people & cultures pp. 74-101, 107-115
Week 5
Oct. 1 Middle Paleolithic people & cultures pp. 104-106, 114-133
Oct. 3 Upper Paleolithic people & cultures pp. 136-163
Terra Amata assignment due
Week 6
Oct. 8 Upper Paleolithic Expansion pp. 166-189
Oct. 10 EXAM
Week 7
Oct. 15 Mesolithic
Cultures –
Oct. 17 Archaic
& Late Paleo-Indian cultures –
Week 8
Oct. 22 Socioeconomic organization pp. 283-286
Oct. 24 Rise of Food Production – Near East pp. 191-225
Week 9
Oct. 29 Spread of Neolithic in the
Oct. 31 Rise of Food Production – Far East,
Week 10
Nov. 5 Rise of
Food Production – North &
Nov. 7 Woodland Societies in
Week 11
Nov. 12 North American Agriculturalists pp. 239-245, 301-313
Nov. 14 EXAM
Week 12
Nov. 19 Developmental Societies in Mexico & Mesoamerica
Nov. 21 Developmental Societies in
Week 13
Nov. 26 Civilizations & States, Near East pp. 286-291, 321-334
Nov. 28 Civilizations
& States,
Week 14
Dec. 3 Civilizations & States, Indus &
Dec. 5 Civilizations & States,
Week 15
Dec. 10 Civilizations
& States,
Dec. 12 Civilizations
& States, Africa &
FINAL EXAM