Archaeological Studies Minor
The Archaeological Studies Program at UWL is among the top comprehensive undergraduate programs in archaeology in the United States and the only one in the Midwest. Lewis Binford, one of the most influential archaeologists in the discipline's history, conducted a comprehensive review of our program and concluded: "I can say without hesitation that this is the best undergraduate program in archaeology that I have seen anywhere in this country." The uniqueness of our program lies in the fact that it is an interdisciplinary minor that integrates a holistic anthropological approach, regional course offerings and a variety of study abroad experiences, a broad exposure to multiple methodological specialties, cutting edge technologies applied to archaeological research, and practical training in the applied field of cultural resource management (CRM) industry.
Most notably, we provide our undergraduate students with practical experience unmatched by other programs elsewhere for three primary reasons:
- Our close relationship with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC), which conducts extensive research and public education activities throughout the tri-state region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, provides students with direct exposure to applied archaeology and the kinds of careers they are likely to pursue upon graduation.
- Our impressive array of intensive international experiences are designed to expose students to different world cultures as well as equip them with practical anthropological and archaeological skills.
- Our focus on training students in cutting edge technologies that very few programs in the U.S. offer, gives students opportunities to develop high-tech skills in field archaeology: geophysical and remote sensing equipment (ground penetrating radar, magnetometer, resistivity meter); precision laser mapping equipment; a complete photogrammetry array; 3-D scanning, photo, and video equipment; photographic drone for aerial photography and video.
The archaeology studies minor is designed for students who have an interest in the anthropological sub-discipline of archaeology but who are majoring in another discipline. Common majors that are served by the archaeology studies minor include cultural anthropology, art, history, social studies education, geography, biology, physics, and a number of others. The minor in archaeological studies provides students with a strong foundation in the discipline while allowing for the selection of elective courses that particularly suite the individual student’s interests.
(All colleges)
19 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| ARC 100 | Archaeology: Discovering Our Past | 3 |
| ARC 196 | Archaeology: An Introduction to Lab and Field Methods | 1 |
| ARC 200 | World Archaeology: Origins and Development of Human Culture and Society | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 elective credits in archaeology 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
- 1
Of the 12 elective credits, at least nine credits must be at the 300/400 level.
Archaeology credits applied to the anthropology minor, history major or minor, and/or the geoarchaeology minor may not be applied to the archaeology minor.