COURSE SYLLABUS: ANTHROPOLOGY 2030, World Archaeology

TA: Wylie C. Thomas Contact: woohamed36@hotmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course traces the evolution of human societies worldwide by looking at the major changes in human technology, economy, social structure, politics and ideology over the last 2.5 million years or so. In the course of doing so, we’ll also cover basic archaeological method and theory and take a look at a number of the most important discoveries made by archaeologists over the last 100 years or so. The goal of the course is to increase student’s general understanding of the way humans have modified their behavior over the course of their biological and cultural evolution and to explore the ways that some of their key inventions and discoveries altered the course of this development. Students who take this course will: (1) gain a basic understanding of archaeological method and theory; (2) be exposed to the history of the development of human societies; (3) address the key discoveries made by prehistoric humans; (4) examine the effects of these discoveries on the trajectory of human sociocultural evolution; (5) explore some of the seminal archaeological research and discoveries leading to a greater understanding of the development of modern human societies.

Specific Learning Goals:

Disciplinary Knowledge: (1) Know the nature, intent, and scope of anthropology (cultural, biological, archaeology, linguistics); (2) Attain depth in one of the following subfields: cultural, biological, archaeology; (3) Know the epistemologies of the humanities and of the sciences as they pertain to anthropology. Be familiar with the cultures of a major world region; (4) Develop recognition of and respect for human differences.

Methods of Inquiry: (1) Ability to compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives; (2) Familiarity with a range of anthropological methods; (3) Ability to apply methods specific to one of the subfields: cultural, biological, archaeology.

Skills and Career Competencies: (1) Comprehend reading material appropriate to course levels; (2) Communicate effectively in written and oral forms; (3) Conduct library research using modern methods; (4) Use a computer for written work and for research; (5) Be able to think critically about issues that require synthesis of perspectives from the humanities and the sciences in a culturally diverse world.

TEXT: Fagan, Brian (2006) People of the Earth: An Introduction to World Prehistory

12th Edition. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0132274086

This textbook is required. It covers the history of human development from 2.5 million years ago until the beginning of world history around A.D. 1500. It thus covers key aspects of hominid evolution, the first hunting and gathering humans, the rise of complex hunter-gatherers, the origins of agriculture, and the development of state level societies around the globe. It provides essential background and more in-depth case studies of some of the archaeology we’ll cover in class and is thus key to understanding course material and doing well in this class. The text, however, is not comprehensive, nor does it cover in sufficient depth several of the topics we’ll cover in lecture (e.g., the invention and importance of stone tools, complex hunting and gathering societies, and causes of agricultural intensification and the rise of the state). For this material, you’ll have to come to class. For other material (especially that relating to archaeological method and theory), please refer to the material posted on Blackboard.

Buying the text: The text is available at the bookstore, or you can support the USU Anthropology Museum by ordering it through Amazon. Here’s how: Ordering new and used textbooks through Amazon.com often nets students a competitive price on textbooks. If, the link is made through Utah State’s Museum of Anthropology website ( www.usu.edu/anthro/museum ), the museum receives a percentage of the purchase price (of the textbook and anything else in your shopping cart).

To facilitate buying books through Amazon, we have created links for all Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology (SSWA) courses. To buy this way, go to the museum homepage, click on “Help fund the museum,” look up Anth 1030 (our former course number) or 2030, click on the book, place it in your Amazon shopping cart, make your purchase, and voila—your book is shipped to you and the museum gets a commission on the sale (even of used copies). Amazon offers free shipping on all purchases over $25. As of this writing, the book costs $93.96 new at Amazon and has used copies starting at $58.91.

Please keep in mind that any time you plan to make a purchase from Amazon, if you go to their website via a Museum of Anthropology link (by clicking, for example, on any featured book, whether or not you want to buy it—just don’t put it in your shopping cart once you’re directed to Amazon), the museum will receive a small commission on everything you do buy. It’s a nice way for the museum to fund programs for Cache Valley families, undergraduate internships in the museum, and other initiatives.

Readings on Blackboard: Some of your reading consists of articles or chapters from various textbooks. These are stored in PDF format and available on Blackboard. You will need to log in, download and print each article, or simply read the electronic version on-screen. Most of these readings are required, just as the Fagan textbook is required. I may post additional, supplementary readings should there be an expressed interest on the part of the students.

Note on reading and note taking: Your success in Anth 2030 will depend in no small part upon completing assigned readings thoroughly and on time. Readings will form the basis for lectures, class discussions, and for two reading exams (detailed below). You are unlikely to succeed in Anth 2030 if you do not read.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Museum Assignment; Midterm #1; Midterm #2; Final Exam

Your Grade is based on: Points Due Date

Museum Assignment 10 points Thursday, October 16, in class

Midterm Exam #1 25 points Friday. September 26, in class

Midterm Exam #2 25 points Friday, October 31, in class

Final Exam 40 points Wednesday, December 10

100 points possible in class: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; < 59 = F

Examinations: Will cover lectures, class discussions, and readings. You are responsible for all materials. Exams will consist of identification, multiple choice, short answer, and short essay questions

Museum Assignment: For this out-of-class activity, you will visit the Utah State University Museum of Anthropology, located at the south end of Old Main 252 (second floor). The goals of the assignment are to (a) introduce you to exhibits that will expand our classroom discussions of archaeological topics, and (b) alert you to the presence of the museum, with hopes that you will use this facility in the future—and tell friends and family about it! I will explain in class (see syllabus for relevant dates) what you need to do to earn points for this assignment.

ASSISTANCE: Please ask questions in class, by e-mail, or during office hours. Your T.A. and I will be glad to discuss anything that will help you succeed in Anth 2030 or your academic career. Although you T.A. will not lend out class notes (consult a classmate for these), he will help you understand material that was unclear in class or your text. He will also review your online discussions, to help you determine if you’re on the right track. And, he will hold SI (supplemental instruction) sessions before exams to help you prepare.

If you are intrigued by anthropology, USU’s Anthropology Program peer advisor James Young can provide information about an anthropology major, minor, and unique course and work opportunities within the discipline. James staffs the front desk of the anthropology office suite, Old Main 245, and he holds regular office hours (posted at his desk). For information on the Utah State University Museum of Anthropology and educational opportunities available therein, email the museum at anthmuse@cc.usu.edu, or consult the museum’s web site (listed previously).

Americans with Disabilities Act

Qualified students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, 797-2444 voice, 797-0740 TTY, or toll free at 1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC and me as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance notice.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

Attendance: Class attendance is not mandatory. In my experience, however, student performance is closely tied to attendance (in other words, if you only show up to about 60% of lectures, you can probably expect a D- or worse for your final grade). The decision, however, is up to you. We also are lucky enough to have a number of guest speakers this semester. They are experts in their fields and will be talking about topics not covered in the text. You WILL be tested on the material they cover; your attendance at their talks is thus very strongly recommended.

Tardiness. Late arrivals distract me and other students. If you cannot arrive on time, please do not come to class. If you arrive late, I will note this. Excessive tardiness will affect your final grade.

Missed in-class exams. If you know you will miss an in-class exam, you must notify me of this prior to your absence. Even if you are bedridden by illness, you must contact me to explain the situation prior to your absence. If you follow this protocol, you may make up the exam in the next three days at a time convenient for us both. If you fail to follow this protocol, you may not make up the exam. This has happened before, and students have learned the hard way that this policy is not negotiable. I recommend using e-mail to contact me, and keep a copy of the “sent message” as a record that you notified me of your absence in a timely fashion.

Turning in your Museum Assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted. You know the due date for this well in advance (see your syllabus). Plan to turn in your assignment during class on the due date, and understand that any time after the beginning of class that day is late—too late. You may turn in reading exams early if you know you must miss class on the day it is due (or because you’re done and want to be rid of it). You may also send a hard copy in with another student on the day the assignment is due if you are sick. You may not e-mail your exam to me, printing it out and turning in a clean copy is your job.

Extra credit. None is offered, so please do not ask.

Email policy: Please email myself or your TA with all questions, concerns, etc. But please do not bombard us with repeated emails—think your questions through and send one, rather than three or four. There are over 80 people in this class. Multiplied by three a day and then multiplied by five days per work week and that’s 1200 emails a week, a worst-case scenario to be sure. You and your classmates will get better and faster responses if you think through your questions before sending email. You should expect a response (usually) in 24 hours on weekdays (but only if sent during business hours). Weekends are more hit-or-miss, so don’t expect a response until Monday for an email sent after 5 PM on Friday night (though oftentimes I will send responses over the weekend—it’s just not guaranteed). Finally, do not expect more than a short paragraph answer to your questions—if you have a complex issue that requires my assistance, please come by and talk to me in office hours—we can cover much more in a 15 minute meeting than in two hours of sending emails back and forth.

Classroom civility. Utah State University supports the principle of freedom of expression for both faculty and students. The University respects the rights of faculty to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires classroom conditions that do not impede the learning process. Disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated. An individual engaging in such behavior may be subject to disciplinary action. So, during class, please do not talk to others, allow your cell phone to ring, snap your gum, read the newspaper, make obnoxious comments, make out with your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, or engage in other rude activities. If your behavior disturbs your peers or me, I will take disciplinary action as outlined in Utah State University’s “Classroom Civility Policy.” You may review the complete policy and possible sanctions at http://www.usu.edu/stuserv/SCode/civility.html . Note that the consequences of uncivilized behavior include (but are not limited to) immediate removal from the classroom.

Academic dishonesty. All students must abide by Utah State University academic standards, including the Utah State “Honor Pledge.” The pledge is outlined in Section V of the Code of Policies and Procedures for Students. Section VI of the document explains penalties for violating university standards, and they can be severe (up to and including expulsion from USU). Please familiarize yourself with these policies. Cheating or other academic dishonesty in Anth 2030 will be dealt with in accordance with them.

Plagiarism. Plagiarism includes knowingly “representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one’s own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials” (Code of Policies and Procedures for Students, Article V, Section 3A.1). Penalties for plagiarism include “(1) warning or reprimand and (2) grade adjustment” (Article VI, Section 1A). Other penalties may be imposed at the Dean’s discretion and include probation, suspension, expulsion from Utah State University, withholding of transcripts, denial or revocation of degrees, referral for psychological counseling, and other disciplinary actions. Never, never, never plagiarize. If you work with a friend on your reading exam and turn in substantially similar work, I will notice, and will take strong and immediate action in accordance with USU policy.

Student privacy. In compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), the Anthropology program maintains the confidentiality of your records. However, because Anth 2030 is a large class and presents logistical challenges when it comes to returning graded work, I will circulate a waiver to allow me to return exams and other materials efficiently, but in ways that may not perfectly preserve your privacy (for example, by placing exams in alphabetized piles at the front of the room before or after class). Signing the waiver is optional, and I will accommodate students who prefer to have their work returned to them personally.

Daily Schedule

Date Topic Reading*

Aug. 25 Course Introduction Fagan xviii-xxii

Aug. 27 What is culture and does it evolve? Fagan Ch.1 pp. 2-24

Aug. 29 What is archaeology? Sutton and Yohe, 1-15, 19-30 (blackboard)

Sept. 1 LABOR DAY—NO CLASS None

Sept. 3 Archaeological inquiry and research process Thomas & Kelly 51-76 (blackboard)

Sept. 5 Finding & documenting archaeological sites Sutton & Yohe 112-124 (blackboard)

Sept. 8 Excavating archaeological sites Sutton & Yohe 124-137 (blackboard)

Sept. 10 Stratigraphy& seriation Sutton & Yohe 163-172 (blackboard)

Sept. 12 Dating methods Fagan xxiii; 10-11 (inset); Sutton & Yohe 172-190

(blackboard)

Sept. 15 Human Evolution 1 Fagan Ch. 2 pp. 26-57; www.kfrp.com/index.html

Sept. 17 Human Evolution 2 Fagan Ch.3 pp. 66-83

Sept. 19 Hominid tools Fagan Ch. 2 pp. 57-65, Ch. 3 pp.83-97

Sept. 22 Tools of the genus Homo Fagan Ch. 3 pp. 97-109

Sept. 24 In-class review for exam 1 None

Sept. 26 MIDTERM #1 None

Sept. 29 Pleistocene Africa, Eurasia, Siberia Fagan Ch. 6, pp. 172-179; Ch. 4 pp. 112-141;

www.donsmaps.com/indexsites.html

Oct. 1 Peopling of the Americas Fagan Ch. 5 pp. 142-171 http://instaar.

colorado.edu/QGISL/bering_land_bridge/

Oct. 3 Pleistocene Southeast Asia and Australia Fagan Ch. 6, pp. 179-189

Oct. 6 Thinking about Hunter-Gatherers Fagan Ch 7, pp 192-200

Oct. 8 Guest Lecture: Dr. Emily Jones—The Mesolithic To be Announced

in France

Oct. 10 Guest Lecture: Dr. Emily Jones—Origins of To be Announced

Agriculture in the US Southwest

Oct. 13 Mesolithic & Antecedents of Agriculture Fagan Ch 7, pp. 200-210

Oct. 15 Broad Spectrum Revolution Fagan Ch. 8, pp. 212-233

Oct. 16 Fertile Crescent MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT DUE Fagan Ch. 9, pp. 234-249;

http://www.catalhoyuk.com/

Oct. 20 European Neolithic Fagan Ch. 5, pp. 250-267

Oct. 22 Origins of Asian Agriculture-South Fagan Ch 12, pp. 278-282, 286-297

Oct. 24 Origins of Asian Agriculture-North Fagan Ch. 12, pp. 282-286; Bettinger et al. 2007

(blackboard)

Date Topic Reading*

Oct. 27 Farmers in Prehistoric North America Fagan Ch. 13, pp. 298-330

www.exploratorium.edu/chaco

Oct. 29 In-class review for exam 2 None

Oct. 31 MIDTERM #2 None

Nov. 3 Development of Civilization Fagan Ch. 14, pp. 332-341

Nov. 5 Theories on the Origin of the State Fagan Ch. 14., pp. 342-351

Nov. 7 Mesopotamian Civilizations Fagan Ch. 15, pp. 352-367

http://www.atlastours.net/iraq/ur.html

Nov. 10 Trade, Politics, and Empire in Southwest Asia Fagan Ch. 15, pp. 367-371

Nov. 12 The Development of Egyptian Civilization Fagan Ch. 16, pp. 371-385

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid

Nov. 14 Later Egyptian History & Archaeology Fagan Ch. 16, pp. 386-394

Nov. 17 African Civilizations Fagan Ch. 16, pp. 394-405; http://www.

pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ israel/zimbabwe.html

Nov. 19 Civilization in South Asia Fagan Ch. 17, pp. 406-427

http://harappa.com/har/har0.html

Nov. 21 Early Chinese Civilization Fagan Ch. 18, pp. 428-437 www.travelchinaguide.com/

attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/

Nov. 24 Guest Lecture: Dr. Brian Kemp on ancient DNA To be announced

Nov. 26 THANKSGIVING BREAK—NO CLASS

Nov. 28 THANKSGIVING BREAK—NO CLASS

Dec. 1 Mesoamerican civilizations Fagan Ch. 21, pp. 472-509 www.wsu.edu/~dee/

CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM and www.tikalpark.com/

Dec. 3 South American civilizations Fagan Ch. 22, pp. 510-539

http://www.stanford.edu/~johnrick/chavin_wrap/

Dec. 5 Review for exam 3 Course Summary and Review

Dec. 10 (W) FINAL EXAM 9:30 – 11:20 a.m. NO EARLY EXAMS

* Reading should be completed by the class period for which it is listed