North American Archaeology
Fall 2007 MWF 1-1:50 Fitz 316
Instructor:
Dr. Renee B. Walker
Office: 312 Fitzelle
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:15-3:15
Email:
email me
Course web page:
http://employees.oneonta.edu/walkerr/North%20America/AN245Syl.htm
Syllabus
This course will introduce students to the amazing variability and diversity of North American prehistoric cultures. We will begin by examining the theories and debates over the arrival of humans in the New World. We will then proceed chronologically, examining the developments of each region of North America during four major cultural periods, including the Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian. The last part of the semester will be spent more critically investigating cultures of the northeastern United States. Particularly, subjects like the origins of the Iroquois, northeastern pottery styles, and the effects of European contact on the aboriginal inhabitants of the region will be discussed in greater depth. You will also be able to pursue a topic in North American prehistory in greater depth through a group presentation, given at the end of the semester.
Grading
Your grade for the semester will be based on two exams (one midterm and one final), your performance in the group presentation, and class discussion participation. The midterm exam will be given on the date in the course outline and the final will be on the scheduled final exam date. Both exams will be non-cumulative, multiple choice and essay. The group presentation will take place at the end of the semester. Finally, your class participation grade will be based on your attendance and engagement in class discussions.
The total points for the semester are:
|
|
Points |
Total |
|
Two exams |
100 |
200 |
|
Group Presentation |
50 |
50 |
| Presentation Summary | 50 | 50 |
|
Class Discussion/ Participation |
50 |
50 |
Total |
|
350 |
| 329 – 350 points = A | 280 – 302 points = B- | 235 – 257 points = D+ |
| 315 – 328 points = A- | 270 – 279 points = C+ | 224 – 234 points = D |
| 304 – 314 points = B+ | 259 – 269 points = C | 210 – 223 points = D- |
| 294 – 303 points = B | 245 – 258 points = C- | 0 – 209 points = E |
As mentioned above, your class participation grade is 50 points of your total grade for the course. You are also expected to complete reading assignments before we discuss the topic in class, so that we can have meaningful dialog about the information in the readings.
Neusius, Sarah W. and G. Timothy Gross Seeking our Past: An Introduction to North American Archaeology. Oxford University Press, 2007.
Academic Dishonesty
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).
In particular, note the section that describes the possible penalties for
academic dishonesty: “A Student deemed guilty of an act of academic dishonesty
may, depending on the nature of the offense, be subject to one or more of the
following measures: failure of the assignment or examination, failure of the
course, or dismissal from the College.”