AN 205 - Introduction to Archaeology

2. Understand the role of the scientific method in guiding the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data used in archaeological research.

3. Analyze how key theoretical paradigms influence the process of archaeological inquiry (GELO 3)

4. Identify how the different forms of archaeological data are organized and used to reconstruct and interpret past human behaviors (GELO 7)

5. Understand the relationship between the past systemic context and present archaeological context

6. Synthesize the different forms of analogy and explain how archaeologists use analogy to interpret the archaeological record (GELO 3)

7. Apply archaeological data to solve anthropological problems (GELO 7)

8. Identify the significance of ethical issues relating to archaeological research and apply archaeological codes of ethics to help resolve ethical dilemmas

9. Understand the implications of why we practice anthropological archaeology and articulate its importance to contemporary society.

A. Thinking from Things and the Contemporary Relevance of Archaeology

B. Archaeological Ethics

C. Archaeology as Anthropology

II. Thinking Archaeology

B. Archaeological Theory – Scientific Method and Levels of Theory

C. Archaeological Theory – Processual and Post-Processual Paradigms

II. The Archaeological Context: The nature of archaeological data

A. Archaeological Fieldwork and Site Formation Processes

B. Chronology Building

C. Archaeological Systematics

III. Logic and Analogy in Archaeological Analysis

A. Middle Level Theory and Analogies

B. Ethno-Archaeology and Experimental Archaeology

IV. The Systemic Context: Interpretations of the Human Past

A. Source Thinking – Historical Archaeology

B. Artifact Thinking – Analysis of social, economic, and political patterns

Facilitated Classroom Discussions: 15-20%

Analysis Projects: 20-25%

Individual Writing Assignments emphasizing Critical Thinking and Application of Theory: 10-15%

1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend different cultural viewpoints for the purpose of problem solving around cross-cultural issues and the application of anthropological theories for recognizing appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, and touch to make correct judgments regarding course material. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course expectations. For example, anthropology courses employ the replication, use, and physical manipulation of material cultural artifacts related to human cultures. Likewise, anthropology courses utilize game based simulations to help students understand the operation of different cultural systems, which require physical movement around the classroom and interactions with other students.
3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students and faculty. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to manage potential stressors that accompany tasks necessary to safely engage in the application of anthropological theory and the discussion of relevant topics. It is expected that students will have divergent opinions regarding cross-cultural perspectives and contemporary global issues. Students are expected to be able to discuss these potentially powerful topics in an objective, civil and respectful manner.  Some of the topics addressed in Anthropology courses include, but is not limited to: Violence [including ethnic and sex-based violence (i.e. rape, female infanticide, and genocide)], Sexuality, Gender, Race, Class, Religion, Politics, Ethnicity and Identity. These essential emotional and coping skills will take place on many different levels, including one to one interactions with peers and faculty, small group interactions, and whole class discussions.
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: Anthropology courses require the application of anthropological methods and theories to the collection, synthesis, and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative information and the ability to discern between objective and subjective perspectives. In addition, anthropology courses require the ability to apply anthropological methods and theories to explore and understand different cultural perspectives. To accomplish these tasks the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate relevant course information is necessary.
6. Other essential behavioral attributes: The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the study of Anthropology. This includes adherence to ethical guidelines governing the practice anthropology and adherence to all aspects of the GRCC student code of conduct.