ANTHROPOLOGY 301 ARCHAEOLOGY: MYTHS AND FACTS
Spring Semester 2004: Tues/Thur. 11:00-12:15

Instructor: Dr. Ian Kuijt
Class Location: O'Shaughnessy 207
Office: Flanner 617
Office Hours: Weds. 1:00-3:00 pm
Office Phone Number: 631-3263
Email: Ian.Kuijt.1@nd.edu

COURSE SUMMARY
The general public views archaeologists in a highly stereotyped manner. this course explores the public's preception of what archaeologists do and why they do it, and seeks to better understand the broader goals and contributions of the sutdy of archaeology. We will explore this question through a range of media, including how the public and media stereotype archaeological research through films and novles. We will also examine the development of alternative/pseudoscientific explanations for ancient phenomena (for instance, the contruction of the Egyptian pyramids, the destruction of Atlantis, and the use of the Nasca lines by aliens). Finally, students will investigate the modern social context of conducting archaeology today: how can archaeology help us to understand the world in which we live? We will draw on case studies from throughout the world, including examples from North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.

PREREQUISITES: None

TEXT: There will be one text for this course:

Feder, K.L. 1999, Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology. Mayfield.

GRADING, ASSIGNMENTS, AND GENERAL POLICIES

The core of this course is focused on a series of innovative short assignments that explore the ways in which the general public and media understand the practice of archaeology, how some groups have co-opted some of these practices in the development of alternative forms of non-scientific archaeology, and how the media presents archaeology to the general public. The assignments are all group projects, are generally 1-2 pages in length, and will require students to develop a series of simple web pages. Once completed, these web pages will be linked together as part of the Myths and Facts web page, and made available to the general public.

Course Requirements:
*Attendance and participation (20%)
*Writing six short group assignments (30%)
*Developing technical skills to put assignments on the web (10%)
*Constructing web pages for each of the assignments (40%)

GENERAL POLICIES

*This class is designed for interested students who want to learn about the borader goals and practice of archaeology, the ways in which the general public and media understand and misunderstand the profession of archaeology, and the social context in which alternative psuedoscientific views of archaeology have emerged in society. As and Arts and Letters class at Notre Dame, most students discover that this class requires greater time commitment then they originally anticipated and requires them to treat the class as a serious commitment to their time and studies.

*Attendance and participation are key elements to each student's grade. Attendance will be taken each day at the start of class or lab. There will be a sign in sheet passed around at the start of class and it is the student's responsibility to sign-in. Regardless of the excused or unexcused nature of the absence, students will be responsible for all material covered during that class period.

*There will be NO make-ups for assignments. A rare exception may be possible on if: a) arrangements are made prior to assignment due date (by phone or direct contact with the instructor), and ; b) this is for some medical emergency or family death. If you find that you are desperately ill or have a serious emergency, it is very important that you contact the instructor in advance, repeat advance. I will do everything possible to accommodate you in emergency situations, but require that you inform me about this as soon as possible.

*Plagiarism and cheating on assignments, as well as the forgery of signatures on attendance sheets, are serious violations of the University of Notre Dame academic policy. As a minimum, violation of this policy will result in an automatic zero grade for the portion of the grade and will be reported to the University academic honor committee.

*I strongly encourage students to meet with me and discuss any concerns or questions they have with their grades or assignments. Due to the short length of the term, however, these concerns or questions can only addressed within a one-week period after assignments are passed back to the student.

*If you have a documented learning disability and are authorized to have special arrangements for work in this class, please inform me at the beginning of the course. I will do all that is possible to accommodate your needs, but I must be aware of your concerns as soon as possible. Thank you.