Getting Started
Course Materials: CD-ROMs
Archaeology in the News
Class Discussions
Assessments and Grading
Module Overview
The Archaeology in the News Writing Assignment is your opportunity to report to the class regarding an exciting recent archaeological find. Your paper will meet the following criteria:
- You should choose a "recent finding" from the press and write a 500-800 word synopsis.
- Any archaeological find reported within the past five years is eligible as long as it is from a site that is at least 1000 years old (e.g. before 1000 C.E.)
- Reports from excavations of non-human fossils are not appropriate. (i.e. Reports on wooly mammoths and prehistoric fish will not be accepted.)
- You must include at least three references; no more than two of these may be from the Internet. (Students with more than three sources may have more than two internet sources. Think of it as a 2:1 ratio. If you have a question about a source, contact Dr. Lancy.)
Once a student has selected a topic, it is no longer an option for others (i.e. any given topic may only be done by ONE student).
In your synopsis you will include and accurately report:
- the name and location of the place, as well as details of the country and the landscape.
- Include dates and how they were derived.
- Identify the culture represented by the find.
- Identify where the team was from that did the work.
- Include a description of the find.
- Give an explanation of how the findings alter and/or add to our understanding of the culture.
- Include an explanation of what additional data may be needed to resolve any findings that generate controversy or raise questions.
- Discuss if this site is still an "active" site. What is your evidence for your conclusion?
- Include a catchy title.
In other words, these are the points on which you will be graded, along with meeting the five criteria above.
You have just over half the semester to complete the assignment, however, once a "finding" is claimed as a topic, another student may not use it for the same assignment. Therefore, students who begin early will be able to choose from a greater number of recent findings and topics. This rule is in an effort to encourage early completion of the assignment and creativity in your research.
Further instructions, along with example papers can be found on the course homepage. The last day for submission is listed in the calendar and the assignment tool. You will submit your assignment via the Assignmnet Tool in Blackboard.