Archaeology 304 is a survey of the prehistory of the New World beginning with the peopling of the American continents prior to 10,000 years ago and ending with the consequences of European contact on indigenous life and culture a few centuries ago. In the process the course addresses 5 major topics:

(1) the apparently rapid colonization of two previously uninhabited continents by nomadic hunters and gatherers;

(2) technological and cultural adaptations to unique and diverse environments by hunting and gathering people after colonization;

(3) the origins of sedentism and agriculture;

(4) the development of large scale, politically complex societies; and

(5) the effects of European expansion into the New World

Reading assignments for this class fall into two categories:

1. The core readings come from the required textbooks Exploring Ancient Native America, by David Hurst Thomas (Routledge, 1999) and The Incas and their Ancestors, by Michael E. Moseley (Thames & Hudson, Revised Edition, 2001).  Look to these texts for information to supplement and expand lecture topics.  Both are solid and well organized treatments, easier to read than most texts of their kind.  These books are available at the University Bookstore (Textbooks) and on reserve at the Odegaard Reserve desk.

2. Additional required readings have been put on Online Reserves to provide greater coverage of particular issues.  These include popular accounts of archaeological discoveries, synopses of important debates, and insights into the personalities of several archaeologists involved in research of New World Archaeology.

One of the most challenging, interesting, and fun parts of this class will be a project divided into two parts.  In the first half of the quarter, you will collaborate in small working groups to produce poster exhibits focusing on specific archaeological sites, sets of sites, and/or time periods for particular regions of North, South, or Central America, during the so-called “Archaic Period.”  This will require detailed library research, working with sometimes difficult academic articles, drawing up illustrations, captions, and summary text, and combining it all into a collaborative exhibit.  These exhibits will be introduced to the class through short presentations, and then mounted in the halls of the Denny basement for the class (and others) to read.  You will receive a more detailed sheet of instructions within the first week of class. 

This project will evolve in the second half of the quarter into individual term papers in which you will compare the cultural development of two regions in the Americas, one of which will be the area you worked on in the poster project.  Papers will be 5-7 pages, typed, and double spaced.  Online submission of this and other assignments is preferred.

Final grades will be calculated according to the scheme below. Individual assignments will be graded on a 100 point scale. A passing grade is 0.7 and requires a cumulative score of 60%.

Project: 20%

Term paper: 20%

Midterm Exam: 30%

Final Exam: 30%

Extra-Credit: up to 10% (extra article reports)

Library Session                 Oct. 13 

Project research week        Oct. 18-22

Project presentations         Oct. 27

Veterans Day Holiday        Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Holiday        Nov. 25,26

Last Class/Paper due         Dec. 10

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Midterm Exam          Nov. 3 in class

Final Exam                Dec. 13, 2:30-4:20 pm

The class web site includes the syllabus, class schedule, homework assignments, contacts for the instructor and teaching assistants.  Over the course of the quarter, we will post lecture slides, study guides, supplementary materials and links to field school opportunities and other useful links: http://courses.washington.edu/newworld/304index.html

All out of class written assignments (except the Poster) should be turned in electronically by way of the class web site using E-Post.  This includes homework assignments and extra-credit work

Through the duration of this class, you are expected to treat your fellow students and instructor honestly and with respect. Except in the case of explicitly collaborative assignments, you are expected to produce your own work for the class. Written exercises should be original and must properly credit intellectual sources used (citations and bibliography). Plagiarism or any other form of cheating will not be tolerated. If you are unsure as to what constitutes academic honesty, go to the following campus web site. This site outlines the disciplinary actions that are required when a case of dishonesty is identified.

http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm

The Disabled Student Services (DSS) Office coordinates academic accommodations for enrolled students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include classroom relocation, sign language interpreters, recorded course materials, note taking, and priority registration. DSS also provides needs assessment, mediation, referrals, and advocacy as necessary and appropriate. Requests for accommodations or services must be arranged in advance and require documentation of the disability, verifying the need for such accommodation or service. Contact DSS at: 448 Schmitz, Box 355839, (206) 543-8925 (Voice/TTY), uwdss@u.washington.edu.