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ACLG W3002: Introduction
to Archaeology After a short introduction, including the presentation of the archaeological contexts of study available to students in New York City (I), the course begins with an exploration of the most visible part of archaeological work, that of excavation (II). Quickly the course emphasizes the importance of contextual study, for archaeology is, after all, the study of material culture in its total cultural context. Having established the conceptual framework for approaching the layers of the earth that contain our past, the course moves to explanations of time (III), both in the past and the present. Returning then to a world view, the course explores ways of viewing landscapes, both on dry land and under water, through archaeological investigation (IV). After the midterm, the course moves from the broad discourse of an archaeological approach, to discussions of the interrelationship between material culture and text (V) and human activity (VI), which are the sources most often cited for analogies with material culture. The course concludes by bringing students back to New York City with their newfound perspectives (VII) learned in the course to discuss the present past and who owns the past. The course is primarily lecture-based, but at the end, students will have the opportunity to present their own views of an archaeological investigation based on something they have visited and studied in the city. A short essay based on this same subject is due earlier in the semester. A midterm and a final exam form roughly half of the grade. Those exams will include some term, map, and key image identifications as well as short essay questions. For requirements, readings, and schedule, download the syllabus above |
