Elements of Archaeology
Terry L. Jones (756-2523)
Tljones@calpoly.edu
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-2:30, Tuesday 4:30-5:30, Wednesday 12:30-1:30, or by appointment, in Faculty Offices, Building 47, Room 13D.
Required Texts:
Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn (2010) Archaeology Essentials. Thames and Hudson, London. Second edition.
Parker, Mari Prichard, and Elvio Angeloni (editors) 2010 Archaeology (ninth edition). Guilford Connecticut: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.
ISBN 978-0-07-812774-8
Praetzellis, Adrian 2011 Death by Theory. Alta Mira Press, Walnut Creek. Revised edition.
Other articles available as pdfs on course website.
Course Description:
An overview of archaeological method and theory covering the history and development of archaeological thought, approaches to data recovery, dating and analysis of artifacts and ecofacts, and the construction of models of prehistoric human behavior.
Learning Objectives:
Students are expected to develop (1) an understanding of what the archaeological record consists of; (2) understanding of the archaeological research process including research methodology and design; (3) the ability to critically analyze issues in prehistory from multiple perspectives and communicate results effectively; (4) introductory knowledge on the objectives and procedures of applied archaeology (Cultural Resources Management)
General Information:
Class will consist of lectures held each Monday and Wednesday 10:10-12:00 and two field exercises. Class will be held in Room 126 Building 5 On the field dates (January 9th and February 13th), class will assemble on campus, before heading out- unless other arrangements are made. Students are expected to participate in all field trips. Archaeology involves getting dirty so students should dress appropriately on field days. They should wear sturdy shoes, pants, hat, and warm outer garments as necessary. The class will require some modestly rigorous hiking.
It is mandatory that students access their Cal Poly E-mail accounts in order to be reachable via E-mail for notifications concerning this class—particularly for possible last minute updates on field trips.
Performance Evaluation:
The course grade for each student will be based on:
B=269-304 pts
C=233-268 pts
D=214-232 pts
F= 0-213 pts
Exam scores may be curved.
The examinations will cover materials from lectures, readings, and field excursions. Exams will consist of a combination of objective questions (multiple choice, true-false) and essays. An IBM Scantron Form 882-E, and #2 lead pencil are required for all exams. The final examination will be non-cumulative.
On Tuesday February 28, 6:30-8:00 PM in Spanos Theater Dr. Henry Gilbert from CSU East Bay will be delivering a lecture entitled, “One Million Years Ago: Homo erectus, the Acheulian and Prehistoric Globalization.” Students must attend the lecture and write a short (one-two pages-typed) summary of the presentation. The paper is due in class the following Monday (March 5).
Research paper. Students are required to write a 7-10 page paper (not including references, double-spaced, typed) on an archaeological issue or topic of their choice. The paper will be preceded by an annotated bibliography that includes at least four non-internet sources (due in class February 9), and an outline (due February 22 in class). Paper format, including citations and references, must conform with style guidelines of the Society for American Archaeology that will be provided. The paper is due in class March 9.
Students are expected to take the examinations at the scheduled times. The midterm examination will be held in-class on Wednesday 2 February. The final examination will be held Wednesday 16 March, 10:10-1:00. Only students with valid institutionally accepted reasons (e.g., conflict with another University sponsored event, severe illness, or personal crisis) will be permitted to take make-up exams. Students must make arrangements to take the make-up no later than the day of the exam. If you have reason to believe that you will not be able to take the final exam at the scheduled time, please do not enroll in this course. Only institutionally acceptable excuses for missing the final exam will be considered.
Important Dates to Remember :
Important Dates to Remember:
4 January Wednesday-----------First day of class
9 January Monday-----------------First Field Trip
16 January Monday---------------HOLIDAY!!
17 January Tuesday------------Class on a Tuesday!!!!
1 February, Wednesday-------- Midterm examination
8 February, Wednesday---------Annotated Bibliography due
13 February, Monday------------Second Field Trip
15 February, Wednesday------Annotated Bibliographies returned
20 February, Monday-------------HOLIDAY
22 February, Wednesday------- Outline due in class
27 February, Monday------------Outlines returned
28 February, Tuesday---------Lecture by Henry Gilbert 6:30 PM Spanos
5 March, Monday-------------------Papers on Gilbert Lecture due
7 March, Wednesday------------Research Papers due in class
14 March, Wednesday ----------Final examination
Withdrawals after the two-week drop period will be signed only for institutionally accepted reasons as listed in the University Catalog.
Lecture Topics, Reading Assignments and Field Exercises
4 January Wednesday |
Renfrew and Bahn 8-11, 37-41 |
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9 January Monday |
The Archaeological Record : Field Trip to local archaeological sites |
Renfrew and Bahn pp 41-56 i Gibbons p 61 in Parker and Angeloni |
11 January Wednesday |
Renfrew and Bahn 208-211 |
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16 January Monday |
Holiday |
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17 January Tuesday |
Lemonick and Dorfman pp 44-49 in Parker and Angeloni |
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18 January Wednesday |
Renfrew and Bahn pp 12-25, 32-33 |
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23 January Monday |
Renfrew and Bahn 60-91 |
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| 25 January Wednesday | Renfrew and Bahn 94-99 |
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| 30 January, Monday | Renfrew and Bahn 92-93, 100-102, 105-132, 163-177 | |
1 February Wednesday |
MIDTERM!! |
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| 6 February Monday | Renfrew and Bahn 173-181, 185-187 |
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8 February Wednesday |
Paleoenvironment (Context) |
Renfrew and Bahn 188-201 |
| 13 February Monday | ||
15 February Wednesday |
Subsistence and Diet (Ecofacts) Annotated Bibliography returned |
Renfrew and Bahn 190-193
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| 17 February Friday | Hublin pp. 156-158 in Parker and Angeloni Renfrew and Bahn 236-244 |
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20 February Monday |
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22 February Wednesday |
Ethnoarchaeology and Experimental Archaeology OUTLINES DUE IN CLASS |
Renfrew and Bahn 43 Rathje and Murphy pp. 70-78 in Parker and Angeloni |
| 27 February Monday | Renfrew and Bahn 26-31 Death by Theory 1-165 Arnold in Parker and Angeloni pp. 148-151 |
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28 February Tuesday |
Lecture by Dr. Henry Gilbert 6:30-8:00
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29 February Wednesday |
The Power of Paradigms
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Renfrew and Bahn 266-271, 272-280 |
| 5 March Monday | Shennan (2008) |
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7 March Wednesday |
Renfrew and Bahn 31,287-321
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| 14 March, Wednesday | Final Examination 10:10-1:00 |
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16 March Friday |
Papers Due my Office 4:00 |
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