LETTERS 151: ARCHAEOLOGY FRONTIERS

http://www.uri.edu/archaeology/courses/151/151.html

An interdisciplinary team-taught survey of the past, present, and future of archaeology.

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Course Coordinator: Dr. Bridget A. Buxton

Office: 116 Washburn Hall   

Ph: 874 4085

Email: babuxton@mail.uri.edu

Office hours: Mon – Weds 2-3 and by appt.

Course website: follow the links from our homepage: http://www.uri.edu/archaeology/

Lecture location: Edwards Auditorium

Lectures meet: Mon-Weds-Fri 12-1

Texts and readings: to be supplied online

Dr. Kristine Bovy                (Anthropology, URI)          kbovy@ uri.edu

                                               Ph. 874 4143                       Office hours: M W 1.30-2.30 and by appt.

Dr. Mary Hollinshead        (Art History, URI)              Mary.Hollinshead@uri.edu

                                               Ph. 874 2770                       Office hours: Tues 1-2 and by appt.

Dr. William Krieger           (Philosophy, URI) krieger@uri.edu

                                               Ph. 874 2812 Office hours: by appointment

Dr. Roderick Mather          (History, URI)                    RodMather@mail.uri.edu

                                               Ph. 874 4093 Office hours: M W F 11-12

Dr. John Jensen                  (History, URI; Sea Education Association: jensenheritage@verizon.net)

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WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY?

Archaeology by its very nature is highly interdisciplinary, and an archaeologist can be anyone who acquires the necessary training and skills to study past cultures through their material remains. The practice of archaeology employs a variety of theories, methods, and techniques for investigating, reconstructing, interpreting, preserving, and ultimately, learning from the past. Historians, art historians, anthropologists, Egyptologists, and classicists all make use of archaeological evidence and approaches (hence 'historical archaeologist', 'classical archaeologist'), which in turn rely heavily on techniques derived from the hard sciences (archaeometry). Archaeology is often the only means by which we can encounter and learn about people that are chronologically and materially enormously distant from ourselves. Because every question about the past requires different tools, techniques, and sometimes attitudes to answer, archaeologists are always exploring new frontiers.

WHAT ARE ARCHAEOLOGY FRONTIERS?

Frontiers can be geographical, cultural, scientific and theoretical. One of the characteristics of any frontier is that it is an area where the perception of possibility exceeds the available knowledge. Venturing into frontier zones can be dangerous and destructive as well as rewarding and enlightening. Like any evolving and expanding discipline, archaeology is constantly exploring new frontiers. This course is a selective survey of some of the highs and lows of that evolution from the earliest times until the present. We will focus on the pioneering research and breakthroughs that have revolutionised our understanding of human history, and the stories of the archaeologists and excavations that have made history along the way.

NOTE: Although this course deals with many important concepts in archaeological method and theory, it is not an introduction to the practice of archaeology as a discipline, or even to a particular type of archaeology (for example, prehistory). Please check out the URI Archaeology Group website (www.uri.edu/archaeology) or consult with participating faculty about other archaeology-themed course offerings at URI.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students in Letters 151 Archaeology Frontiers will participate in a critical examination of the production and application archaeological knowledge over the past three centuries. Students will learn to evaluate how specific cultural and temporal contexts of archaeological discovery have affected the interpretation, use (or frequent misuse) of archaeological data.

Letters 151 Archaeology Frontiers examines individuals, excavations, and ideas that have had a transformative impact on the development of archaeology to illustrate how and why the discipline and its ideologies have evolved in particular ways, driving archaeologists to explore new frontiers. Rather than presenting historical and scientific information as part of a static universe of received knowledge, we will focus on the quest for knowledge. The creation of NEW knowledge in any sphere of research requires an understanding of how and why to push the boundaries of the discipline. 'Archaeological Frontiers' will provide exemplary lessons in exploring new frontiers, as well as increasing awareness of how archaeological discoveries have been manipulated to serve political agendas and cultural prejudices.

READING AND STUDY ASSIGNMENTS

Every lecture will be linked to the following online course materials, supplied in advance:

- A reading assignment of an article or texts central to the topic of discussion, which you should read BEFORE the lecture for which it is assigned.

- A short abstract of the lecture with a set of 5-10 short-answer questions based on the readings and the lecture content, and a list of key names and terms which you should be able to identify and explain.

ASSESSMENT

Your final grade will be based on a series of four quizzes consisting of short answer questions (worth 10% each, dropping the lowest grade), four lab assignments involving activities outside scheduled lecture times (four labs worth 10% each, dropping the lowest grade), one field trip to the Bay Campus (participation 5%) and a final exam (35%). There may be an option to earn additional credit through extra-curricular activities as arranged by the course coordinators. Makeup exams and assignments will be given at the instructor's discretion, and only under the most dire circumstances.

In class quizzes, you will be assessed on your knowledge of the archaeological case studies presented in the course, and your ability to explain the significance of particular individuals and discoveries from multiple perspectives. You will be tested on your comprehension of a variety of historical and contemporary texts drawn from the extensive assigned reading. Class Quizzes are approximately 30 minutes long and consist of TEN short answer questions based on the list of questions, names, and terms supplied for each lecture. They will be held in the first half of the class. Large bags and coats should be left at the front of the lecture hall on quiz days. All you will need with you is a pen or pencil and note-taking materials for the lecture following the quiz. You will find a seat with at least 2 seats between you and your nearest neighbor, and remain seated and silent for the duration of the test.

Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact Dr. Bridget Buxton during the first week of the semester to discuss your needs so that we can ensure your full participation in class and fair assessment of your work. As part of this process, please be in touch with Disability Services for Students Office at 330 Memorial Union 401-874-2098.

In lab assignments, you will complete projects that expose you to the raw data, evolving critical methods, and the scientific tools of archaeology – as well as a bit of popular mythology. There are four class lab assignments worth 10% each, of which only three are counted towards your final grade; we cannot accept late assignments. Lab assignments are generally short written exercises of 2-3 pages which invite you to analyze and interpret different kinds of texts and data outside the classroom. Completing lab assignments may demand considerable time and initiative as well as travel outside the Kingston campus. Participation in the field trip is compulsory for 5% of your final grade.

The final exam is worth 35% of your final grade and the material it covers is cumulative. The final exam will consist of a combination of short answer and multi-choice questions.

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LETTERS 151: ARCHAEOLOGY FRONTIERS

PART ONE             weeks 1-3              Discovery, Evolution, Egyptology

PART TWO            weeks 4-6              Classical, Biblical, and Near Eastern Archaeology

PART THREE        weeks 7-9              Anthropology, Prehistory, Archaeological Science

PART FOUR          weeks 10-12          Maritime and Underwater Archaeology

PART FIVE             weeks 13-14          Preserving Frontiers, Future Frontiers

WEEK ONE	INTRODUCTION	Lecturer
Sept 9 Weds	Introduction to the course and instructors; course requirements	Team
Sept 11 Fri	What are Archaeology Frontiers? The Dawn of the Archaeological Quest(ion)	BB
WEEK TWO	FROM DILETTANTISM TO DISCIPLINE
Sept 14 Mon	Hunters and collectors: the Renaissance rediscovery of the past	KB - BB
Sept 16 Weds	The Archaeologist – Adventurers of the 19^th century	MH
Sept 18 Fri	Egyptology I: Brief introduction to Ancient Egypt EVENING FILM SCREENING: DETAILS TBA* * Alternative arrangements will be made for students unable to attend.	BB
WEEK THREE	EGYPTOLOGY
Sept 21 Mon	Egyptology II: Tomb Raiders and Translators	BB
Sept 23 Weds	Egyptology III: Preserving the Gift of the Nile	BB
Sept 25 Fri	Brief introduction to the Classical World FIRST QUIZ on material covered through Sept 23rd	BB
WEEK FOUR	CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY I
Sept 28 Mon	The Quest for Troy and Agamemnon FIRST LAB ASSIGNMENT DUE You will watch the feature film Raiders of the Lost Ark and write a 600-700 word review for Archaeology Magazine, analyzing the field methodologies presented in the film in the context of what you have learned about European archaeologists and their methods down to the early 20^th century. Details to be supplied.	MH
Sept 30 Weds	The New World of King Minos of Crete	MH
Oct 2 Fri	The Great Greek Sanctuaries	MH
WEEK FIVE	CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY II
Oct 5 Mon	Delphi, Drugs, Demeter, and the Magical Mystery Pigs	BB
Oct 7 Weds	Pompeii and Herculaneum	BB
Oct 9 Fri	Hitler's Holy Grail	BB
WEEK SIX	BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE NEAR EAST
Oct 12 Mon	Classical Archaeology and Nationalism	BB
Oct 14 Weds	Raiders of the Lost Ark: the archaeologists of the Holy Land	WK
Oct 16 Fri	Archaeology vs. Legend: Rediscovering Lost NE Civilizations SECOND QUIZ on material from Sept 25^th through Oct 14^th	BB
WEEK SEVEN	PREHISTORY COMES OF AGE
Oct 19 Mon	From the Cave to the Commercial: Introducing the Cave Man SECOND LAB ASSIGNMENT DUE You will write a 600-700 word scholarly article for Archaeology Magazine examining ONE MODERN CONFLICT of the last fifty years in which archaeology was or is being used to further an ideological agenda. Details to be supplied.	KB
Oct 21 Weds	Archaeology's Big Bang: the Radiocarbon Revolution	WK
Oct 23 Fri	Thomas Jefferson and the Moundbuilder Myth EVENING FILM SCREENING: DETAILS TBA* * Alternative arrangements will be made for students unable to attend.	KB
WEEK EIGHT	THE AMERICAN FRONTIER
Oct 26 Mon	The Peopling of the Americas	KB
Oct 28 Weds	Guest lecture on an American Frontier by Alicia Caporaso
Oct 30 Fri	The Archaeology of the Silent	KB
WEEK NINE	THE “NEW” NEW ARCHAEOLOGIES
Nov 2 Mon	Is Archaeology Useful? Contemporary Environmental Issues	KB
Nov 5 Weds	Notable corpses: Archaeology CSI	Team
Nov 7 Fri	The Fringe Frontier: Exposing Pseudo Archaeology THIRD QUIZ on material from Oct 16th through Nov 5th	BB
WEEK TEN	TAKING THE QUEST UNDERWATER I
27 Nov 9 Mon	"A pile of rotting syphilitic corpses!" - the dawn of classical underwater archaeology THIRD LAB ASSIGNMENT DUE Details of this lab assignment will be supplied in class.	BB
28 Nov 11 Weds	Veteran's Day: no classes
Nov 13 Fri	Milestones in Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology	BB
WK ELEVEN	TAKING THE QUEST UNDERWATER II (RM with JJ)
Nov 16 Mon	Milestones in Historical Underwater Archaeology	RM
Nov 18 Weds	Ships of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea	RM
Nov 20 Fri	Pirates of the Caribbean	RM
WK TWELVE	TAKING THE QUEST UNDERWATER III
Nov 23	Deep Frontiers	BB
Nov 25	No Lecture. Class Field Trip to URI Bay Campus You will be able to sign up for a guided tour of IAO HQ on Mon or Tues. Participation is worth 5% of your final grade.	BB
	NOVEMBER 26-29 THANKSGIVING RECESS
WK THIRTEEN	PRESERVING THE LAST FRONTIER
Nov 30	Gold Rush	JJ
Dec 2	Inland Seas and Intact Ships	JJ
Dec 4	Holy Grails and White Whales: in situ preservation and the future of underwater archaeology FOURTH QUIZ on material from Nov 7^th through Dec 2^nd	BB – RM - JJ
WK FOURTEEN	FRONTIERS OF THE FUTURE
Dec 7	Science, Ethics, and Loot FOURTH LAB ASSIGNMENT DUE Students will be supplied with data about several submerged archaeological sites and will write a 600 word grant pre-proposal outlining how they intend to find, investigate, and/or manage one of the sites. The well-endowed private funding agency “The Archaeology Frontiers Institute” will evaluate your proposal on its contribution to archaeology, as well as factors that demonstrate your understanding of the project's practical, methodological, and ethical requirements, and likelihood of success.	WK
Dec 9	Who owns the Past?	MH
Dec 11	The Next Fifty Years: Class Discussion and conclusion Final exam date, time, and location to be advised.	Team

The class schedule and lecture content described here is subject to change at any time. To achieve a solid passing grade you should plan to spend at least two hours studying for every class hour, but this requirement will vary greatly depending on your reading and study skills. Attendance at every lecture and class activity is expected and your enrolment in this class constitutes a commitment on your part to meeting that expectation. On lecture days, the amount of material we need to cover may not allow time for questions and discussion in class, so take advantage of office hours.

We expect all students of Letter 151: Archaeology Frontiers to support an atmosphere of maturity and courtesy. You will respect the instructors and your classmates by arriving on time, remembering to switch off your cell phone or pager, and refraining from activities that distract and disrupt the class (such as talking over others, or packing up to leave before the class is finished). Note that the use of LAPTOPS in lectures is forbidden due to the distractions they cause.

Plagiarism (unacknowledged or inappropriate use of an information source) or cheating of any kind will result in automatic failure of an assignment, test, or even the whole course, with official reports of cheating going to Student Affairs, your Department, and the relevant Deans.

IMPORTANT: CLASS POLICY ON STUDENT ILLNESS

The H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic may impact classes this semester. If any of us develop flu-like symptoms, we are being advised to stay home until the fever has subsided for 24 hours. So, if you exhibit such symptoms, please do not come to class. Notify an instructor via phone or email as soon as possible, and we will communicate through that medium to ensure that course instruction and work is completed for the semester. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted simple methods to avoid transmission of illness. These include: covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, frequently washing your hands to protect from germs; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and staying at home when you are sick. For more information please view www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. URI information on the H1N1 virus will be posted on the URI website at www.uri.edu/news/H1N1, with links to the www.cdc.gov site.

READINGS AND STUDY ASSIGNMENTS*

*Will be provided electronically and updated frequently. Be sure to check the course website and
make sure we have your correct email address, and check your email frequently.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ASSIGNMENTS PAGE

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIBRARY'S ELECTRONIC RESERVE PAGE FOR OUR COURSE