University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Course Syllabus, Spring 2008

Instructor: Mark A. Rees, Ph.D.	Phone: 337-482-6045
Office: Mouton Hall, Room 109	Dept. Office: 337-482-6044
Office Hours: Tue & Thur 8:00-9:30 AM, 11:00 AM -	Email: rees@louisiana.edu
12:30 PM & 1:45-3:00 PM	Online: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~mar4160/
Fri 8:00-10:00 AM (subject to change)	Moodle: http://suze.ucs.louisiana.edu/moodle/

Course Description

World Archaeology is an introductory survey of human prehistory from the perspective of anthropological archaeology. The course spans nearly 2 millions years of historical development preceding and following the emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens (anatomically modern humans). Emphasis is placed on the last 40,000 years, following the spread of humans throughout the world. The geographic scope of this course is similarly broad, ranging from the Great Rift Valley of East Africa to Australia. The emergence of modern humans, Paleolithic foragers, and postglacial migrations are examined, including major environmental, technological, and cultural developments. Early peoples of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific are discussed in light of global issues such as residential mobility, sedentism, the origins of agriculture, social complexity, urbanization, and the development of archaic states.

Grades and Participation

The final grade for this course will be based on three exams worth 100 points each, for a total of 300 points. The exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, true-false, and/or short identification questions on key terms and concepts drawn from the assigned readings, lectures, and/or films. The final exam will be comprehensive in scope, but will emphasize information covered since the second exam. Scantron answer sheets, available at local bookstores, will be required for exams. Grades will be posted online on Moodle, but Moodle is not the official record of course grades (http://suze.ucs.louisiana.edu/moodle/). Please contact the instructor if you suspect a problem with your grade on Moodle.

A missed exam can be made up only after the appropriate documentation of an excused absence has been presented to the instructor.* Anyone arriving more than 10 minutes late on the day of an exam, or after the first person has completed an exam (whichever is first), will be marked absent and required to provide appropriate documentation to schedule a make-up exam. Justification for absences should be submitted as soon as possible, ordinarily no later than one week. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule a make-up with the instructor. All make-up exams will be in essay format and will be administered at the time of the final exam.

The use of recording devices and electronic media must be pre-approved by the instructor. Cell phones and PDAs should not be used while class is in session. The use of cell phones, audio recordings, PDAs, and all electronic devices is strictly forbidden during exams. Please turn off your cell phone during class.

Participation in World Archaeology is a course requirement. Regular attendance is expected, as well as completion of all assigned readings and examinations. Unexcused absences are likely to have a negative effect on the final course grade.

Required Textbooks

Feder, Kenneth L.

2007 The Past in Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory, 4^th edition. McGraw Hill, New York. http://www.mhhe.com/feder4

Recommended Reading (Optional)

http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~mar4160/courses.html

Scheduled Topics and Assignments

Week of	Date	Topics	Reading Assignments
Jan 21		Orientation, Introduction & Background	Ch 1
Jan 28		Archaeological Science & Science Fiction	Ch 2
Feb 4	Feb 5	Mardi Gras Holiday: NO CLASS
		Hominid Origins & Human Evolution	Ch 3
Feb 11		Hominid Origins & Human Evolution	Ch 4
Feb 18		Early Humans	Ch 5
	Feb 21	First Exam
Feb 25		Upper Paleolithic “Revolution”	Ch 6
Mar 3		Global Diaspora	Ch 7
Mar 10		The Mesolithic & Archaic	Ch 8
Mar 17		Agricultural Origins	Ch 9
Mar 24	Mar 25 & 27	Spring Break: NO CLASS
Mar 31		Early Agricultural Societies & Complexity	Ch 10
	Apr 3	Second Exam
Apr 7		Complexity in the Americas	Ch 15
Apr 14		Origins of the State & Civilization	Ch 11
Apr 21		Early States	Ch 12
Apr 28		Early States	Ch 13
May 5		Decline & Collapse	Ch 14
May 12	Thur, May 15	FINAL EXAM 8:00 AM

*Appropriately documented excuses include hospitalization, medical emergencies, fatalities, and other severe mitigating circumstances. Any student having difficulties with the subject matter, requirements, or assignments in this course should make an appointment to see the instructor or come by during regularly scheduled office hours as soon as possible during the semester.

Special arrangements for students with disabilities may be made through Services for Students with Disabilities in the Conference Center, Room 126 (http://disability.louisiana.edu/; email: ssd@louisiana.edu; Phone: 337-482-5252). Students with psychological disabilities may contact Kim A.Warren, MSW, PhD, LCSW, Supported Education Advisor, at 482-5252 or kimawarren@louisiana.edu.

Last Updated January 19, 2008. The instructor reserves the right to amend or revise this syllabus in the event of changes to the university academic calendar.