Sections 01 & 02

MWF Fall 2008 FITZ 319
 Dr. Renee B. Walker, email me
Fitzelle 312, x3346, Office Hours: MW 2-4:00, or by appointment

Course Objectives

Archaeology is the study of ancient human cultures using material remains to reconstruct past lifeways.  These cultures are studied using the approaches, theories, and techniques of archaeology.  In this introduction to archaeology, we will examine three aspects of the subject.  First, the history, methods and theories of archaeology will be discussed.  Second, we will look at the prehistory of the Old World, where culture evolved and developed.  Finally, we will outline the prehistory of the New World, where Native Americans developed complex civilizations that paralleled those of the Old World.  At the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of their own past and how we know about it through the application of the scientific method. 

This course satisfies the social sciences (S2) general education attribute.  To satisfy the S2 attribute, students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods scientists used to explore social phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical and interpretive analysis; and knowledge of major concepts, models and issues of a least one discipline in the social sciences.

Grading

Exams: Your grade is based on your performance on four exams during the semester (each worth 100 points).  The exams will be multiple choice, true false and short answer.  Each exam (including the final) covers lecture, film, discussion, course readings, and materials assigned since the last exam. 

Library Research: A short library research assignment will be based on finding three peer-review journal articles on a topic in archaeology that is of your choosing (25 points).  If you need some ideas for a topic, come see me.

Movie Summary:  You will complete three 300-word summaries of the movies that we will see this semester.  These reviews should be typed, single-spaced and should be submitted the next class day after we view the movie. 

Your grade for the course will be determined by the total number of points you earn:

Course Materials

Chazan, Michael (2008) World Prehistory and Archaeology.  Allyn and Bacon, Boston.

Course Web Page

The course web page is http://employees.oneonta.edu/walkerr/Archaeology/AN140syl.htm.  The same materials that are on this syllabus can be accessed via this web page.  In addition, the course schedule section of the web page has all of the lecture notes linked and can be accessed as long as you have Microsoft Powerpoint on your computer (all of the campus computers have this program).  You can print out the lecture notes for your records by going to file/print/print outline.

You can also access materials and grades via Angel.  The drop boxes for the short assignments will also be in Angel.

Attendance Policy

    Attendance will be taken every day. Attendance is used in resolving borderline grades. If you are absent because of illness or family/personal problems, please let me know. Keep in mind that you are still responsible for the material that was covered.

Classroom Etiquette

• You are expected to arrive to class on time, ready to start.

• Class is not over until class is over; please don’t get ready to leave before I indicate that we are done for the day.

• Expect that we will always be meeting for the full scheduled class period.

• While it is anticipated that the need to use the restroom during class may periodically arise, please keep personal breaks to a minimum, and do so only if absolutely necessary.

• No laptops computers allowed unless one is needed for an authorized disability.

• Make sure that cell phones are turned off!

Other Important Information

•  The Center for Academic Development and Enrichment (formerly Learning Support Services) provides free academic services to students. If you need assistance and tutoring in writing, the Writing Center can help. For tutoring in subject areas and development of study skills, the Learning Center is a good resource. Both are located at 225 Alumni Hall.

•  Always save copies of your work.  It’s a good idea to print a hard copy, as well as save a copy on your computer, on a floppy or zip disk and to the network. A computer crash and loss of your work just before it is due is not an acceptable excuse for it being late.

• If, due to serious injury/illness or dire circumstances such as a death in the family, you will be absent for several classes, please communicate with me as soon as possible, and consider calling Student Development (119 Netzer, 436-2513), to advise them, and take advantage of their assistance.

• You are expected to be familiar with the rules concerning academic dishonesty as published in the Code of Student Conduct (http://www.oneonta.edu/development/judicial/code.asp#conduct).