ANTH 120 - Archaeology: Science of the Past

Description:
Introduction to the concepts, methods, and development of archaeology, as well as key discoveries from the ancient world. Illustrations of how fields of science are combined to uncover past human achievements and diverse cultures. SB-Foundations of Human Adaptations and Behavior (W). Course will be offered every year (Fall, Winter, Spring).

Credits: (5)

General Education Category: SB-Foundations of Human Adaptations and Behavior (W). K8 - Science & Technology

General Education Pathways: P2 Health & Well-being, P5 Sustainability, P6 Ways of Knowing

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe how archaeology contributes to our lives by providing a deep historical background to humanity and exposure to different cultures and ways of living.
Recognize social, political, and ethical implications of archaeological research, particularly considering heritage management, ownership of the past, and ethical responsibilities to descendants.
Formulate questions that can be addressed by archaeological inquiry, and ways of evaluating validity of archaeological knowledge (i.e. epistemology).
Apply quantitative reasoning to solve archaeological problems.
Explore archaeological methods and approaches (e.g., studies of paleodiet or paleoenvironment) as they address our understanding of long-term human-environmental balance and societal health or cultural collapse (e.g., implications of origins of agriculture)
Analyze issues related to long-term past public health, wellbeing, and sustainability (e.g., paleopathology, dietary change, cultural collapse) from interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., environmental archaeology)

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
10/19/17

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations: