QUEENS COLLEGE

ANTH 103: INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY

Spring 2018
T/TH 10:45-12:00
POWDERMAKER 114

INSTRUCTOR: NICOLE ROSE

CONTACT: NICOLE.ROSE@QC.CUNY.EDU OR NROSE@GRADCENTER.CUNY.EDU
OFFICE: POWDERMAKER 314B
OFFICE HOURS: T/TH 12:30-1:30

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Archaeology is the study of past cultures through their material remains. This course
introduces students to the major methods, goals, and themes in archaeological
research, with a focus on both methods and interpretation. As one of the four subfields
of anthropology, archaeology contributes not only to our knowledge of world
(pre)history, but also general anthropology. Lessons and readings will illustrate how
archaeological interpretations both build on and contribute to anthropological
knowledge. This course will focus on major transitions in human history including origins
of agriculture, social inequality, and state-level societies. Students will learn about the
methods and interpretative frameworks which aid archaeologists in the reconstruction
of past events, cultures, and lifeways, as well as the close relationship between past and
present. We will see how modern political and cultural contexts help shape the way we
discuss the past and how the past is mobilized to shape modern political and cultural
life.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, students should:
 Gain a general understanding of the archaeological methods used to reconstruct
past lifeways and cultures
 Understand how archaeologists analyze archaeological data and information in
order to answer anthropological questions
 Be able to describe the major archaeological cultures, transitions, and
developments in human prehistory
 Recognize the influence of the present in representing the past

COURSE MATERIALS:
 Price, Douglas and Gary Feinman, 2013 Images of the Past. 7th Edition. McGraw-
Hill (previous edition is also acceptable).
 Additional readings will be made available via Blackboard (indicated by BB)

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GRADING:
Participation and Pop Quizzes..……………….10%
Past and Present in Archaeology
Close Reading………………….15%
In the News……………………..15%
Human Evolution Essay…………………………..15%
Midterm Exam………………………………………..20%
Final Exam………………………………………………25%

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Though this course is largely lecture-based, we will use class discussion, video, and in-
class activities to supplement both lecture and course materials. Lectures will be aided
by Power Point presentations. While slides will be posted on Blackboard, they are rarely
text-heavy. As such, if you miss a class, ask one of your fellow students for their notes.
Understand that when you miss class (or arrive late/leave early), you also miss class
discussions that focus more in detail on the assigned reading and any pop quizzes that
may occur.

Participation involves being present, active listening, and meaningful contribution. Be

prepared to ask or respond to questions. This means you should stay caught up on
readings and/or material from previous classes. When a reading from Blackboard is
due for the day, it is safe to expect a pop quiz or reading-related exercise. Personal
devices should only be used for note taking or referring to the readings while in class.
Doing anything else is disrespectful to the speaker, whether me or one of your fellow
students. Such activity will be reflected in your participation grade.

In lieu of a first exam, students will submit a 3 page essay (Times New Roman, double-
spaced, size 12 font, 1 inch margins) exploring the origins of Homo sapiens and their
relationship to their hominin ancestors and cousins through the lens of modern
evolution theory. A specific prompt will be offered early in the class.

The remaining writing assignments are two parts of a whole meant to illustrate the
relationship of past and present, and archaeology’s potential role. In the close reading,
students will use a guided reading template to aid in the understanding of an
academic article on either nationalism and archaeology or the relationship between
the media and archaeology. Possible readings and a template for the exercise will be
provided on Blackboard. On the last day of class, students will provide a 3 page critical
response (Times New Roman, double-spaced, size 12 font, 1 inch margins) using
knowledge gained in the close reading to analyze an archaeological find published in a
popular news source. Students will search for an article which appeared in a legitimate
news source (please contact me if you need confirmation of legitimacy) in the last year.
They will provide a short, one page summary of the discovery and, in an additional two

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pages, evaluate the coverage based on knowledge acquired from the course, but
especially their close reading assignment.

Two exams will be given during the semester. Each exam will be a mix of multiple
choice, short answers, and essays. The midterm will be offered approximately half way
through the course. While focusing on new material, the final exam will include review
questions on material covered earlier in the course. Study guidance will be offered in
the form of review sheets. Make-ups are only permitted in extreme circumstances and
not without documentation. No make-ups will be allowed without more than 24 hours
notices of a problem and/or proper documentation.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic dishonesty is prohibited in the City University of New York, and is punishable
by failing grades, suspension and expulsion. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing
will immediately receive a failing grade in the assignment and, possibly, the course.
Please refer to the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity for definitions, examples, and
procedures
(http://www.qc.cuny.edu/about/administration/Provost/Policies/Documents/Academic
%20Integrity%20Memo%20Fall%202014.pdf).

MISCELLENEOUS POLICIES
• While computers and mobile devices may be used in class for note taking and referring
to the readings, no other activity is acceptable. Points will be deducted from your class
discussion grade for inappropriate use of such devices.
• Extra credit will not be offered.
• This is a preliminary syllabus, and as such it is subject to change. You will be notified
of any changes to the syllabus.
 Late assignments will be penalized every day they are late. Once grading is
completed, they will no longer be accepted. However, extensions may be granted if
requested more than 24 hours before the assignment is due.
 All assignments will be submitted via Blackboard by class time (10:45am) the day the
assignment is due. This process avoids the issue of “lost” assignments/e-mails,
allows both student and professor to check for plagiarism, and enables anonymous
grading by the professor for an unbiased final result.

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COURSE SCHEDULE (PAGE NUMBERS = TEXTBOOK READING, BB = BLACKBOARD READING)
Day Topic Readings Assignments Due
Tuesday, 1/30 Introduction
Thursday, 2/1 Fundamentals of archaeology p. 1 – 33
Tuesday, 2/6 Fundamentals of archaeology p. 1 – 33, BB
Thursday, 2/8 Human Ancestors p. p. 35 – 98
Tuesday, 2/13 The Emergence of Modern Humans p. 87 – 133
Thursday, 2/15 The Mind’s Big Bang
Tuesday, 2/20 NO CLASS
Thursday, 2/22 Human Migration p. 134-150, BB
Tuesday, 2/27 Postglacial Foragers p. 151-175 Human Evolution
Thursday, 3/1 Origins of Agriculture pt 1 p. 179-213
Tuesday, 3/6 Origins of Agriculture pt 2 p. 213 – 247
Thursday, 3/8 Native North America p. 249 – 280, BB
Tuesday, 3/13 Native North America p. 280 – 300
Thursday, 3/15 Mesoamerica p. 303 – 328
Tuesday, 3/20 Mesoamerica p. 329 – 352
Thursday, 3/22 Catch-up/Review
Tuesday, 3/27 Midterm Exam Midterm Exam
Thursday, 3/29 Mesoamerica p. 353 – 371
3/30-4/8 SPRING BREAK- NO CLASSES
Tuesday, 4/10 South America p. 483-486; 373 – 404
Thursday, 4/12 South American (Film/Worksheet) p. 405 -417
Tuesday, 4/17 Mesopotamia & Indus Valley p. 419 – 432

Thursday, 4/19 Mesopotamia & Indus Valley p. 433-443, BB

Tuesday, 4/24 Egypt and African Kingdoms p. 444 – 456, 474 - 482 Close reading
Thursday, 4/26 Egypt and African Kingdoms p. 474-482
Tuesday, 5/1 China p. 457 – 473, BB
Thursday, 5/3 Prehistoric Europe p. 489 - 510
Tuesday, 5/8 Prehistoric Europe p. 511 - 537
Thursday, 5/10 Eurasia/the former Soviet Union BB readings

Tuesday, 5/15 Review In the News

Tuesday, 5/22 Final Exam 11am-1pm Final Exam