INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY

TuTh 12:00-1:45 pm, Media Theater M110

Judith A. Habicht-Mauche, Instructor

Instructor Office: 403 Social Sciences 1

Email:judith@ucsc.edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 1:00-3:00 pm, in office

Teaching Assistants:

Cristie Boone cboone@ucsc.edu Charlotte Cooper ckcooper@ucsc.edu Sarah Ginn sginn@ucsc.edu Anna Higgins ahiggins@ucsc.edu Jessica O'Reilly jlward@ucsc.edu Jun Ueno Sunseri jsunseri@ucsc.edu Jessica Watson jwwatson@ucsc.edu NO SECTIONS MARCH 29-APRIL 1, 2005 GO TO YOUR ASSIGNED SECTION DURING THE WEEK OF APRIL 4-8 TO SECURE YOUR PLACE IN THE CLASS.

Check with Your T.A. for their Office Location and Office Hours

Course Description:

An introduction to how archaeology is used to tell stories about the past, especially that part of the human past beyond the scope of written history. Readings, lectures, section discussions, and out-of-class exercises explore the practical and social dimensions of archaeology.

We begin with a basic orientation, seeing how American archaeology developed, and the contrast between popular images of archaeology and its real social and political context today. We then explore how archaeologists work--how they gather data and how they reconstruct social behavior and cultural meaning from material remains.

Next we examine how these methods are used to study fundamental aspects of human society and culture, including human ecology and subsistence; social relations and identities; production and exchange; symbolism and ideology; and the relationship between power, social inequality and the state. We also discuss some of the professional and ethical problems affecting the practice of archaeology today and the conservation, protection, and control of cultural resources.

THIS COURSE SATISFIES A SOCIAL SCIENCE (IS) GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT AND IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ANTHROPOLOGY MAJORS

REQUIRED TEXTS

COURSE BOOKS ARE ALSO ON RESERVE

AT McHENRY LIBRARY

On sale at the Bay Tree Bookstore:

David Hurst Thomas Archaeology: Down to Earth. (2nd Edition)

James Deetz In Small Things Forgotten. (Revised Edition)

Judith Habicht-Mauche Anthro 3 Reader. (2005 Edition)

Judith Habicht-Mauche and Diane Gifford Gonzalez Anthro 3 Workbook and Study Guide. (2005 Edition)

Critical Book Review Options (You must choose a book from this list):
DO NOT purchase any of these books until you understand the options for this part of the course work (see instructions in Workbook and consult with your T.A.). But purchase a selection before the 5th week of the quarter (when the bookstore starts returning overstock). Limited copies of each book are available at Bay Tree Bookstore and on reserve at McHenry Library.

Cantwell, Anne-Marie and Diana Di Zerega Wall Unearthing Gotham: The Archaeology of New York City. Yale University Press, New Haven.

Ferguson, Leland Uncommon Ground: Archaeology and Early African America, 1650-1800. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.

Praetzellis, Adrian Dug to Death: A Tale of Archaeological Method and Mayhem. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, CA.

Reid, J. Jefferson and Stephanie Whittlesey Grasshopper Pueblo: A Story of Archaeology and Ancient Life. University of Arizona Press, Tucson.

Russell, Miles Digging Holes in Popular Culture: Archaeology and Science Fiction. Oxbow Books Limited.

Spector, Janet D.What This Awl Means: Feminist Archaeology at a Wahpeton Dakota Village. Minnesota Historical Press, St. Paul.

Watkins, Joe Indigenous Archaeology. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, CA.

  GO TO YOUR FIRST SECTION (APR 4-8) TO ASSURE YOUR PLACE IN THE COURSE!

As a social science, archaeology emphasizes writing as the main method of presenting findings and synthesizing ideas. About 25 pages of different types of written work will be required for the course.

(1) Mandatory attendance and active participation at weekly discussion sections. In addition to discussing assigned readings, lecture materials, and Workbook and Study Guide materials, several interactive learning activities, completed both in and out of section, will require you to attend section to receive detailed instructions and to report on your observations. [10% of grade/evaluation]

(2) Timely and satisfactory completion of all Workbook assignments. These assignments include 4 typed, double spaced essays (3 pages each) chosen from the "Study and Response Questions" sections of Units 1-10 in the Workbook and Study Guide [30% of grade/evaluation] and occasional short written reports (including tables, graphs and drawings) on in-class and out-of-class exercises. [20% of grade/evaluation] Your teaching assistant will provide you with a schedule for completing these assignments.

(3) Satisfactory completion of at least seven (7) out of nine weekly quizzes based on material presented in lectures and assigned readings. These quizzes will be posted weekly on the Anth 3 Web site and will be automatically graded, with grades reported directly to your section leader. It will be virtually impossible to pass these quizzes without attending lectures regularly and keeping up on reading assignments. [20% of grade/evaluation]

(4) A 5-7 page (typed, double-spaced) critical review of a current popular book on archaeology. A list of book options and instructions for this assignment are provided in the Workbook and Study Guide (Appendix 1). All books are available at Bay Tree Bookstore and on Reserve at McHenry Library. [20% of grade/evaluation]

 

[1] All work must be completed and submitted to pass the course.

[2] Failure to complete and submit any work by its due date will result in a failing grade. If you know you will have to miss a due date, make an alternate arrangement ahead of time with your T.A.

[3] If an emergency prevents you from meeting a deadline, phone (or have a friend call) JHM's number: leave your name, T.A. name, and contact phone. We will help you with extensions of deadlines and make-ups, if you promptly inform us of the problem.

[4] You could complete all course work and still receive a failing grade, if the work is not of passing quality. Passing quality work is solidly "satisfactory" or better. At UCSC, "barely passing" P/NP work [equivalent of a D grade] is a NP, and there is NO C- grade in the letter grade system. A grade of “D” at UCSC is not considered passing for the purposes of fulfilling Gen Ed or major requirements or for maintaining good academic standing.

[5] Plagiarism (copying others' work, published or unpublished, without attribution) is a major infraction of the academic conduct code. Proven plagiarized work will be treated as not submitted, resulting in a failing grade for the course. You will also be subject to disciplinary action, which could include a warning, suspension or dismissal from the university [See campus Rule Book for rights and responsibilities]. If you are unclear on what precisely constitutes plagiarism, consult course staff or your college Academic Preceptor for information.