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

Archaeology is the study of past societies and cultures through artifacts, material culture, and the tangible traces of human activities. It is a diverse discipline with various approaches and numerous sub-fields, including underwater archaeology, zooarchaeology, ethnoarchaeology, historical archaeology, and classical archaeology. Archaeology as it is practiced in the Americas (and will be addressed in this course) is principally anthropological archaeology. In other words, the common people, societies and cultures of the past are the primary focus of study. This course is an introduction to the history, methods, theories, and techniques of anthropological archaeology.

Participation

Participation is a course requirement. Regular attendance is expected, as well as completion of all assigned readings, quizzes, and examinations. Class participation is generally reflected in performance on the quizzes and exams. Poor attendance and unexcused absences will have a negative effect on the final course grade. 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. Please turn off your cell phone during class.

Grades and Exams

The final grade for this course will be based on two exams worth 100 points each and two quizzes worth 25 points each, for a total of 250 points. The quizzes are unscheduled but will be announced in class. Quizzes will consist of short identification. The exams will consist of short identification and essay questions. The final exam will be comprehensive but will emphasize the material covered since the midterm. Since there are only two exams you should keep up with the assigned readings and attend class regularly. The use of cell phones, audio recordings, PDAs, and all electronic devices is strictly forbidden during exams and quizzes.

A missed exam or quiz 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 after an exam. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule a make-up exam or quiz with the instructor. All make-up exams and quizzes will be taken at the time of the final exam.

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.

Required Readings

Price, T. Douglas

2007 Principles of Archaeology. McGraw Hill. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072961481/information_center_view0/

Recommended Readings (Optional)

http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~mar4160/anth303readings.htm

Scheduled Topics and Assignments

Tuesday	Thursday	Topics	Assignments
Jan 22	Jan 24	Orientation & Introduction; History of Archaeology	Ch 1
Jan 29	Jan 31	History of Archaeology & Archaeological Theory	Ch 3
Feb 5		Mardi Gras – NO CLASS
	Feb 7	History of Archaeology & Archaeological Theory	Appendix 1
Feb 12	Feb 14	Contemporary Archaeological Theory	Ch 16
Feb 19	Feb 21	Scientific Method & Research Design; Data & Processes; Analogy & Interpretation	Ch 4
Feb 26	Feb 28	Provenience, Association & Context	Ch 5
Mar 4	Mar 6	Dating Techniques & Chronology	Ch 8
Mar 11		Chronology & Culture History	Ch 9
	Mar 13	MIDTERM EXAM
Mar 18	Mar 20	Methods & Techniques: Sampling & Survey	Ch 6
Mar 25	Mar 27	Spring Break – NO CLASS
Apr 1	Apr 3	Methods & Techniques: Excavation & Processing	Ch 7
Apr 8	Apr 10	Lithics	Ch 10
Apr 15	Apr 17	Ceramics & Historic Artifacts	Ch 11
Apr 22	Apr 24	Archaeobotany & Zooarchaeology	Ch 12 & 13
Apr 29	May 1	Bioarchaeology	Ch 14 & 15
May 6	May 8	Public Archaeology, CRM & Ethics	Ch 17
May 13		FINAL EXAM at 8:00 AM

*Appropriately documented excuses include hospitalization, medical emergencies, fatalities, and other severe 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.