Archaeology (ARC) - Courses

+ARC 100 Cr.3

Archaeology: Discovering Our Past

This course is an introduction to the fascinating world of archaeology designed as a detailed exploration of the methods used to learn about past human life before written records. Each student will be involved in the process of discovering our past. Offered Annually.

ARC 101 Cr.1

Orientation to the Archaeological Studies Major

This one credit seminar provides students with an orientation to the archaeological studies major and the cultural anthropology emphasis. It is designed for second semester freshmen and sophomore level students. It is also appropriate for transfer students at any level. This course provides information regarding the successful completion of the archaeological studies major and/or cultural anthropology emphasis. In addition, students will be engaged in various tasks designed to identify and/or clarify career goals, increase understanding of archaeology and anthropology as applied fields, and familiarize themselves with tools for conducting research. Pass/Fail grading. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 196 Cr.1

Archaeology: An Introduction to Lab and Field Methods

This course is a laboratory and field learning component to the course ARC 100. The course provides important hands-on learning opportunities for archaeology majors to further introduce and reinforce topics introduced in ARC 100. Lab sessions provide foundational knowledge in the processing and analysis of archaeological finds and field records. Field excavation sessions provide students basic training in the methods and techniques for the recovery and interpretation of archaeological evidence from archaeological sites. Prerequisite: archaeology majors take concurrently with ARC 100. Offered Fall.

+ARC 200 Cr.3

World Archaeology: Origins and Development of Human Culture and Society

The complex global institutions that make up our modern world have antecedents going back thousands of years. This survey course explores the origins of these cultural institutions and their development in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the New World from an archaeological perspective. This course also examines the intimate interconnections between human culture, technology, and the natural environment, and it explores the long-term impact of human behavior on the environment over the last several thousand years. Specific themes explored include the biological origin of our species, the first use of tools and the development of artistic expression, human response to climate change, the origins and development of agriculture and animal domestication, the advent of writing, history and science, the rise of urbanism and state level society, and the lasting cultural impacts of early global interactions among the great civilizations of the ancient world. Offered Fall, Spring.

ARC 250 Cr.3

Museum Studies

This introductory course provides a history of museums, their goals and methods, administration, curation and exhibit techniques. Participants will be taking field trips to museums. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 280 Cr.3

The Incas and their Ancestors: Archaeology of the Andes

This course reviews the prehistory and early historic periods of the Andean regions of South America. Emphasis will be placed on tracing the rise of civilization in the Andes which culminated in the Inca Empire and the extraordinary events that led to the conquest of the Inca by the Spanish conquistadors. Topics to be explored include the controversial evidence of early man in South America, the role of the ocean and mountains in shaping pre-hispanic life, the origin of domesticated plants and animals, and the rise of the complex societies of Moche, Tiwanaku, Wari, Chimu, and of course, the Inca. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 295 Cr.3

Pyramids, Temples and Towns! The Archaeology of Ancient Egypt

This course is a survey of the archaeology of Ancient Egyptian civilization from an anthropological perspective and examines the Neolithic through Roman periods, ca. 5000 BC - AD 285. In this course, we will investigate the rise and development of Egyptian culture by examining selected archaeological sites and the material remains left behind by the ancient Egyptians. Using these materials, we will address specific topics of Ancient Egyptian civilization including the formation of the centralized state, sacred vs secular space, royal and private mortuary practices, urbanism, religion, roles of women in society, everyday life, history of Egyptian archaeology, recent discoveries, and future directions in the archaeology of Egypt. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Every Third Semester.

ARC 300 Cr.3

Cultural Resources Management

Since the 1980's American archaeology has shifted from a strictly academic profession to a more practical occupation in which consulting and the implementation of legislation and public policy are major components. In fact, today Cultural Resource Management (CRM) is the dominant force in archaeology in the United States. The primary goals of this class are to provide students with an appreciation of the importance of CRM and an understanding of the legislation that drives it, as well as exposure to the everyday practices of archaeologists working in a CRM context. Prerequisite: ARC 196 recommended. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 302 Cr.3

Egyptian Hieroglyphs: The Language and Culture of Ancient Egypt

Ever wonder what all those birds, snakes and other symbols on Ancient Egyptian monuments mean? In this course you will find out! This course is an introduction to the language and culture of Ancient Egypt. We will learn to read the hieroglyphic script used by the Egyptians to record aspects of their culture and daily lives for over 3,000 years. While learning the basics of Middle Egyptian grammar, the classical form of the language, we will explore aspects of Egyptian culture through their own words. Through translating sentences and basic texts, we will experience first-hand the classical form of the language used for writing everything from business receipts and letters, to historical documents and literary works, to esoteric theological texts which record details of their belief system. Topics to be covered are the origins of writing in Egypt, historical development of the language, daily religion, beliefs in the afterlife, the family, social structure, literature and the role of writing in Egyptian culture. From students of archaeology or linguistics, history or modern languages, or anyone who has ever seen an artifact from Ancient Egypt and wanted to know what the hieroglyphs say, this class has something for everyone! No prior knowledge of ancient Egypt or Egyptian language is needed or required, only a desire to gain insight into the thoughts of people who lived thousands of years ago. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 303 Cr.3

Archaeology Lab Methods

Taking a hands-on approach to analyzing and interpreting archaeological remains, the class will integrate lectures with demonstrations, experiments, and supervised laboratory projects. Study will focus on the potential for interpreting human life ways and adaptations to the environment from stone tools, ceramics, floral, and faunal remains. Prerequisite: ARC 100 or ARC 196 or ANT 101. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 304 Cr.3

Hunter and Gatherer Societies

This course focuses on recent human societies throughout the world that have lived by hunting and gathering wild resources. The specific subsistence strategies of a wide range of hunter-gatherer groups are examined relative to their technology, social structure, territory, demography and interaction with food producers. The conclusion of this course will consider hunter-gatherers in prehistory. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 305 Cr.3

Indigenous Agricultural Societies: Past and Present

This course examines the origins, structure, social organization, and operation of indigenous agricultural societies. A central focus of the course is an inquiry based, sequential examination of geographically related couplets involving (1) contemporary indigenous agricultural tribal societies and (2) archaeological excavation reports. The utility of the ethnographic record as a guide to interpretation of the archaeological record is evaluated. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC 311 Cr.3

European Prehistory

This course introduces students to the rich archaeological heritage of Europe from its initial colonization by our hominid ancestors to the end of the Iron Age. Topics to be explored include the evolution and dispersal of early hominids and modern humans, hunter-gatherer societies, the adoption of agriculture, the development of social complexity, and the rise of Europe's first civilizations. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 320 Cr.3

Historical Archaeology

The focus of this course is historical archaeology. This discipline combines an archaeological evaluation of material remains from the historic past with an examination and analysis of historical sources. In the New World, historical archaeologists work on a broad range of sites that document early European settlement and its effects on Native American peoples, wars fought on American soil, the subsequent spread of the Euro-American frontier, and later periods of urbanization and industrialization. Historical archaeologists seek to understand the past from an anthropological perspective and appreciate how broad historical developments have shaped modern society. In this class, we will explore all these aspects of historical archaeology in the New World and abroad. Prerequisite: ARC 196. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 325 Cr.3

North American Anthropology and Archaeology

An intensive survey of the cultures of North America north of the Rio Grande, beginning with arrival of the first people in the New World, through the early period of European contact, ending in the mid-nineteenth century. Cultural adaptation and change within each major ecological region will be considered. This course will not be considering contemporary Native American issues. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 331 Cr.3

The Ancient Greek World

A historical and archaeological survey of the ancient Greek world (Greece proper, the Aegean Islands, southern Italy, western Turkey). Periods discussed will include Cretan (Minoan), Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Early Greek Christian. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 332 Cr.3

Ancient Rome and the Mediterranean

A historical and archaeological survey of the ancient Mediterranean area (with emphasis on the Italian peninsula) from the founding of the city of Rome to the collapse of the western Roman Empire in the fifth century ACE. Periods discussed will include: Italy in the Neolithic period, the founding of Rome, Etruscan Domination, the Roman Republic, the Roman Principate/Empire, and the advent of Roman Christianity. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 335 Cr.3

Human Skeletal Anatomy and the Anthropological Study of the Dead

This course is designed for students majoring in archaeological studies or related fields. The focus of this course is a detailed study of the human skeleton. Each student will be required to learn the anatomy of the human skeleton in detail. Also considered are methods of determining an individual's age, ethnic origins, sex, and stature from skeletal remains. The final three weeks of the course will be concerned with anthropological interpretation of the dead. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 340 Cr.3

Origins of Cities

This course examines the origins and development of urban life. Students will first explore, from an anthropological perspective, the character of modern cities. Students will next examine the earliest cities in the Old and New Worlds, and comparatively explore the varied ecological, social, political, and demographic processes associated with urbanization in various ancient civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, China, Andes, and Mesoamerica). While the focus of this course is on archaeological cities, it draws heavily on ethnographic and sociological studies of urban forms. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comparative understanding and appreciation of urban life and its long history. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC 345 Cr.3

Zooarchaeology

This course is an introduction to the subdiscipline of zooarchaeology. It is a hands-on, experiential learning class in which students will develop skills to analyze animal bones from archaeological contexts, including species and element identification, quantification methods, mortality profile construction, and pathology assessment. Students will apply these techniques to address broader archaeological issues, such as hunting and herding strategies, origins of animal domestication, seasonality assessment, environmental reconstruction, and social/ritual use of animals and their products. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 346 Cr.3

Ethnoarchaeology and Experimental Archaeology

Archaeology isn't only about excavations: Since the 1960s, archaeologists have also examined aspects of life in the present as a way to better interpret material culture found at ancient sites. Ethnoarchaeology uses ethnographic field methods among modern peoples to develop informed hypotheses about life in the past. Experimental archaeology uses controlled scientific experiments to develop models about past behaviors including tool use, pottery production, etc. This course will cover both of these "middle-range" approaches, and will require participation in hands-on ethnoarchaeological and experimental class projects. Prerequisite: ANT 101 or ANT 195 or ANT/SOC 202 or ARC 100 or ARC 196 or ARC 200. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC 350 Cr.1-6

Independent International Research in Archaeology

An individually designed, directed archaeological research project in an international setting dealing with a significant field, laboratory, museum or archival/library research problem. The course permits in-depth, independent research using international sources, facilities, and resource persons. Requires a high degree of motivation and the ability to work independently. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Only three credits may apply to the major. Prerequisite: junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT/HIS 353 Cr.3

Maya Civilization

The course presents an overview of the Maya culture located in southern Mexico and Central America. The class is organized chronologically into several sections that focus on the origins, adaptations to various environments, social, political, and religious organizations, and the belief systems of the Maya beginning at around 3000 BC. Emphasis will be on Pre-Hispanic Maya; will also explore life ways of contemporary Maya people. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC/HIS, may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Summer.

ARC/HIS 365 Cr.3

Ancient Iraq

A historical and archaeological survey of ancient Iraq (Syro-Mesopotamia) from its prehistoric origins in the neolithic period to the Seleucid period. Ethnic groups discussed will include the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Kassites, Amorites, Chaldeans, and Elamites. Topics will include the rise of urbanism, cuneiform writing, religion, literature, displaced persons, gender relations, and social structure. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 366 Cr.3

Ancient Israel

A historical and archaeological survey of coastal Syria and Palestine from the neolithic period to the Roman conquest. Various ethnic groups discussed will include the Eblaites, Phoenicians, Philistines, Canaanites, Arameans, Israelites, Samaritans, and Judeans. Special emphasis will be placed on putting biblical history in its Palestinian context. Topics will include social structure, gender relations, religion, and literature. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 368 Cr.3

History of Babylonian Language and Culture I

This course is a survey of Babylonian history, culture, and language. Babylonian, was the most extensive of the cuneiform languages of the ancient Near East, was the language of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians and was used for over two millennia. Students will study aspects of the history and culture of ancient Babylonia, as well as learn the fundamentals of Babylonian grammar and syntax, and the cuneiform writing system. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 369 Cr.3

History of Babylonian Language and Culture II

This course is a second semester survey of Babylonian history, culture, and language. Babylonian, the most extensive of the cuneiform languages of the ancient Near East, was the language of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians and was used for over two millennia. Whereas the student studies grammatical forms and is introduced to the cuneiform writing system in the first semester, the student in the second semester will work with documents. Students will study aspects of the history and culture of ancient Babylonia in later periods, as well as read legal, economic, and literary texts in the original language. Prerequisite: HIS 368 or ARC 368. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 372 Cr.3

History of Women in the Ancient World

A history of the nature and status of women in the ancient world as derived from textual sources, including works of literature, private letters, economic documents, and tomb inscriptions. Areas studies will be Syro-Mesopotamia, Israel, Iran, Anatolia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world. Also discussed will be the study of women as derived from archaeological sources. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 374 Cr.3

Ancient Turkey

An historical and archaeological survey of ancient Anatolia (the geographic name of Turkey) and surrounding regions (e.g., Syria and the Caucaucus) from its prehistoric origins in the Neolithic period, the rise of urbanism, Assyrian mercantilism, Pre-Hattic cultures, the Hittite kingdoms, the Neo-Hittite states, Urartu, Phrygia, Lydia, Cimmerians, Medes, Persians, and various states in the Graeco-Roman period to the advent of Anatolian Christianity. Topics will include cuneiform writing, religion, literature, law, gender relations, and social structure. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/HIS 375 Cr.3

Iran before Islam

An historical and archaeological survey of ancient Iran and surrounding regions from prehistoric origins to the advent of Islam in the 7th century AD. Among the topics discussed will be: the rise of urbanism and writing at Proto-Elamite Susa, Elamite civilization in southwestern Iran, Medes, Scythians, and Persians in the Iron Age, the Persian Empire, as well as the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanian kingdoms of later antiquity. Emphasis will be on the study of primary sources in translation (Sumerian, Akkadian, Elamite, Old Persian, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, amongst others). Topics will include cuneiform writing in Iran, religion, literature, gender relations, classical traditions about Iran, and social structure. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS, may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC/ANT 395 Cr.1

Graduate Preparation Seminar

Third year students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in anthropology or archaeology have many things to consider. This seminar is designed to help students determine what research they intend to pursue after graduation, what graduate schools are particularly well suited to meet their research needs, how to target and apply to certain programs, and how to develop an impressive resume. This seminar will also serve to prepare students who do not intend to continue their education in graduate school for employment opportunities upon graduation. Prerequisite: archaeology major; archaeology major: cultural anthropology emphasis; junior standing. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC; may only earn credit in one department.) Pass/Fail grading. Offered Fall.

ARC/HIS 396 Cr.3

Ancient Syria

A historical and archaeological survey of ancient Syria and surrounding regions from prehistoric origins to the advent of the Roman conquest in the first century BC. Among the topics discussed will be the rise of urbanism and writing along the Euphrates River, religion, gender, social structure, and literature. Moreover, the student will study in translation the vast cuneiform archives from Ebla, Mari, Alalakh, Qattara, Nuzi, Emar, and Ugarit, to name a few. Furthermore, biblical, classical, and medieval sources concerning Syria in the first millennium BC will be studied. (Cross-listed with ARC/HIS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Occasionally.

ARC 399 Cr.3

Archaeology Forum

Investigation of areas and topics of current archaeological interest not covered in the regular curriculum. Repeatable for credit - maximum 12. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 402 Cr.6

Field Methods in Archaeology

Practical application of the basic skills used in the excavation of archaeological sites, including surveying techniques, methods of excavation, compilation of field data, and laboratory analysis. Prerequisite: ARC 196. Consent of instructor. Offered Summer.

ARC 404 Cr.3

Environmental Archaeology

This course investigates the relationship between prehistoric human societies and their biotic communities. An array of techniques using plant and animal remains from archaeological contexts to reconstruct aspects of ancient environments, climates, and human subsistence patterns are examined. Applications of environmental data toward the understanding of human settlement and subsistence systems are discussed. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 409/509 Cr.1-3

Readings and Research in Archaeology

Directed readings or research under the supervision of an instructor. Repeatable for credit - maximum 12. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: ARC 200; junior standing. Consent of instructor. Offered Annually.

ARC 415 Cr.3

Advanced Research Applications in Archaeology

This course will provide advanced training in archaeological data collection and analysis, with focus on designing theoretically-rich analyses that can be applied to answering specific research questions. To this end, each semester will focus intensively on a single category of advanced analysis, such as lithic or ceramic materials analysis. Prerequisite: ARC 196 and ARC 303. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 445 Cr.3

Research Methods in Archaeology

This course is an introduction to a broad spectrum of research strategies available to archaeologists with a focus on quantitative methods. It is not a course in statistics. Rather, the course is intended to help students learn to be comfortable working with qualitative and quantitative data, and to be a sampler of commonly used quantitative methods in archaeology. Prerequisite: ARC 196. Offered Fall.

ARC 450 Cr.1-15

Internship in Archaeology

An academically relevant field experience for archaeology students. The experience will involve direct participation in excavation, laboratory analysis, or other aspects of archaeological science including museum work, supervised by an archaeologist or professional of a related discipline. Repeatable for credit - maximum 15. Only three credits can apply to the major. Prerequisite: junior standing; minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA. Consent of department. Pass/Fail grading. Offered Annually.

ARC 455 Cr.3

Historical and Theoretical Perspectives in Archaeology

This course reviews the practice of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings through modern times. The goal of the course is to explore, from a historical perspective, the theoretical approaches that have been used by archaeologists to explain past human behavior. By exploring the development of archaeological thought through time, students will gain a deeper understanding of current theoretical approaches in archaeology. Prerequisite: ARC 196; junior standing. Offered Fall.

ARC/ANT 479 Cr.1-2

Archaeology/Anthropology Laboratory Assistant

An opportunity to assist in the preparation and instruction of an archaeology/anthropology laboratory. Students will be expected to assist in preparation of course materials, demonstrate proper techniques, and evaluate student performance. Repeatable for credit - maximum four. Not applicable to the archaeology major or anthropology minor. (Cross-listed with ANT/ARC, may only earn credit in one department.) Consent of instructor. Pass/Fail grading. Offered Annually.

ARC 489 Cr.3

Honors Thesis in Archaeology

This is the capstone course for archaeological studies majors enrolled in the Archaeology Honors Program. Honors students take this course in lieu of ARC 499, typically during their final year. The course is designed to assist the student in completing a Baccalaureate thesis that will be presented in hard copy as well as verbally at the Annual Archaeological Studies Spring Research Colloquium. Prerequisite: ARC 196; ARC 200; senior standing. Consent of instructor. Offered Spring.

ARC 498/598 Cr.1-3

Seminar in Archaeology

Intensive study of a specific area or problem of archaeology. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Repeatable for credit - maximum 12 between ARC 498/598 and ANT 499. Departmental option for pass/fail grading. Prerequisite: junior standing. Maximum 12 credits may be earned between ARC 498 and ANT 499. Offered Occasionally.

ARC 499 Cr.3

Senior Project/Thesis in Archaeology

This course is the last course in the archaeological studies major course sequence and is normally taken during the student's final year. The course is designed to assist the student in completing the graduation requirement of the senior project/thesis. Prerequisite: ARC 196; senior standing. Consent of instructor. Offered Spring.