ARCHAEOLOGY METHOD AND THEORY (ANTH 350U)

Fall 2007

MWF 10:15-11:20

Instructor: Dr. Virginia L. Butler

Ph. 503.725-3303; e-mail: butlerv@pdx.edu

Office: Cramer Hall, Rm 141 L

Office Hrs: Tue/Wed: 2:00-3:00 or by appt

Teaching Assistant: Danny Gilmour dgilmour@pdx.edu

Office Hrs: Mon 11.30-12:30, Room 141 E

Course Description:

Anth 350U is an introduction to the principles of archaeology. We will examine the theory and methods used by archaeologists to locate and interpret material evidence about past human activities. The format is mainly lecture but we will have time for some class discussion. The grading will involve a mix of in-class exams, journal article reviews, and take-home exercises.

I will not be taking attendance, but I strongly urge you to attend each class; arrange to borrow someone's notes if you have to miss class. See me if you have questions about materials you do not understand. We will be covering many issues not addressed in the textbook and software; you will not do well on the exams and you will have difficulty with the exercises if you do not regularly come to class.

This class fulfills several requirements for students at PSU. The course is a requirement for Anthropology majors and as such is designed to provide a detailed background of one of the sub-fields of Anthropology. This course is also attached to the Archaeology Cluster in University Studies and many of you are taking this to fulfill your junior cluster requirement. I incorporate all of the goals of University Studies (Inquiry and Critical Thinking; Communication; Human Experience; and Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility) into this course, through my presentations and assignments.

Finally many of you are taking this course as an upper division elective, and you are curious to learn more about this discipline.

Welcome all.

Required Text and Readings:

PSU BOOKSTORE:

Revealing Archaeology. Educational software that you will use on your personal or campus computer. Several of the take-home exercises will include problems/questions from the software and I will be asking questions in class from the material. So you must purchase and learn from this software. When you register the software, you’ll be asked for a course specific “pass key”. This is the word spoke.

Thomas, D.H. (1999) Archaeology: Down to Earth. Harcourt Brace College Publishers, New York. (2nd edition). ISBN: 0-15-505-189-X The bookstore will have several copies of this for sale; I have purchased 12 copies that you can buy. I have put two copies on RESERVE at the Library. AND there are many copies of this available for purchase on the internet. One website that will lead you to a good deal is: http://www.campusi.com/

I will also be putting 2-3 journal articles on WEBCT as pdf files that you will download and read for class discussion and assignments.

Course Requirements/Grading:

4 - take-home exercises and journal article reviews (ea. 25 pts)

2 - In-class exams (ea. 50 pts)

--total 200 points

You will be assigned exercises related to sampling/ research design & stratigraphy/ dating that you will have about 1 week to complete. You will also write two journal article reviews (3-pg essays which summarize and critically analyze professional papers). Assignments turned in after the due date will be marked down ONE LETTER GRADE each day they are late. The in-class exams will be a mix of short answer and essay questions; the final exam will be cumulative. You will be able to make-up an exam, only if you have a valid reason (medical excuse or family emergency); arrangements need to be made prior to the exam time. Use the telephone, not e-mail, if you are unable to get to class to take the exam.

I will give you more information on these assignments and tests in class.

Additional Notes:

1) The Anthropology Department does not permit instructors to give students "Incompletes" except by petition to the Department Chair. Please see the PSU Bulletin for the only conditions under which an "Incomplete" may be authorized. 2) Students registered with the Disability Resource Center who need accommodation, should notify the instructor. 3) According to University and Anthropology Department policy, a grade of C- is needed to "Pass" the course, if taking the course "Pass/No Pass". 4) If you are an Anthropology major, go see one of the faculty in the Anthropology Department for advising related to course-taking and suggestions for achieving career goals. 5) I will post handouts and assignments on WEBCT, probably weekly. Make sure you have an odin account and know how to use this system: http://www.psuonline.pdx.edu.

Course Schedule

Week	Topics	Software/Readings
Beginning

9/24	introduction; why important?	R.A. “Humanities	a science? a humanity?	Imprint”, Thomas Ch. 1 & 2

culture history; reconstruction;

10/1	processual and postprocessual archaeology	continue R.A. Humanities

scales of explanation; emic vs. etic	imprint;

10/8	archaeological site formation;	R.A. “Leaving a Trail”

Middle Range Research.	Thomas Ch. 6

10/15	dating methods, chronology building	R.A. “Tracking Down Time”;

begin “Charting Time”:
Thomas Ch. 3, Ch. 4

10/22	dating methods, chronology building;	R.A. finish: “Charting Time”;
Exam 1: Fri Oct 26	begin R.A. “Following the

Begin Research Design	trail”; Thomas Ch. 5

10/29	Finish Field Work & Sampling	R.A. “Following the

trail”; Thomas Ch. 5

11/5	Technology: Classification & Analysis	R.A. “Detecting Technology”

11/12	Subsistence & Paleoenvironments	R.A. “Provisioning Society”

HOLIDAY: MON Nov. 12	Thomas Ch. 7, 8

11/19	social relationships; archaeology of foragers	Thomas Ch. 9 & 10 (in part)
HOLIDAY: FRI Nov. 23

11/26	CRM; site conservation; conflicts over	R.A. “Preserving the Trail”
ownership;	Thomas Ch. 12.

FINAL EXAM: WED, Dec 5, 10:15-12:05 am
Last Assignment Due Wed, DEC 5, 4:00 pm in Anthro. Offc.