Overview
This course provides an introduction to theory and methods in archaeological research, data collection, and analysis. The objective is to familiarize you with the strategies that are employed in the investigation of archaeological remains and how these strategies further the aims of an anthropological archaeology. Grades will be based on two in-class exams, two section quizzes, and weekly assignments.
I have created a course web page for Introduction to Archaeology using the University's Compass program. You can access the course web page by logging onto the Compass system, which will display all existing web pages for your courses. Choose Anth. 220 from the display list and you can access the course syllabus, assignments, lecture notes and illustrations, and other online class resources. The logon page for Compass is available at:
https://compass.illinois.edu .
Course Requirements and PoliciesExams, Quizzes, and Assignments
Your grade will be based on your performance on 2 in-class exams, 2 section quizzes, and 10 discussion section homework/exercises:
| Graded Component | % of Course Grade | Schedule |
| Section Assignments & Labs | 25 | Weekly |
| Quiz 1 | 10 | Sept. 25 |
| Midterm Examination | 25 | Oct. 21 |
| Quiz 2 | 10 | Nov. 13 |
| Final Examination | 30 | Dec. 14 |
When taking exams and quizzes and completing written assignments, you will be responsible for knowing the concepts and terms discussed in the assigned readings, in the films shown in class, and in the topics covered in lectures, discussion sections, handouts, and web page or power point summaries. When completing assignments, be careful that you do not plagiarize the works of another; that is, do not present the work or words of another person in a verbatim manner as your own. Consult the UIUC regulations for more information on the hazards of plagiarism, at http://www.uiuc.edu/admin_manual/code/. Assignments handed in late will lose 10% of the possible credit after the class in which they are due, and 10% more for each subsequent day late. No make-ups are provided for missed exams, quizzes, or assignments in the absence of documented and legitimate medical or family emergencies.
Attendance and Participation
Your regular attendance and active participation are of central importance for this course to provide you with both a fun and satisfying educational experience. Good attendance, class preparation, and note-taking practices will be very important for your ability to perform well, particularly on exams and quizzes. Attendence at the lectures and discussion sections is mandatory; three or more unexcused absences will lower your total final grade by 5 final grade points.
Required Texts
 Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice, by Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn (Thames & Hudson, 5th ed. 2008).
This text is available at the University bookstores and can also be obtained from other vendors of your choosing (make sure you obtain the edition listed above).
The publisher also provides an online study guide for this book, available at: http://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/web/archaeology/.
Other required or suggested readings may consist of short articles or text excerpts that provide additional information related to the subjects we are covering in our main textbook. These articles will be available online in the course web page on Compass.
[Machu Picchu, in the Peruvian Andes]
Class Meeting Times and Locations:
The class meets as an entire group on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00am to 10:50am in Room 112 of the Chemistry Annex, and in smaller Discussion Sections on Fridays in Room 116 of Davenport Hall (Section 1, 8:00am to 8:50am; Section 2, 9:00am to 9:50am; Section 3, 10:00am to 10:50am; Section 4, 12:00pm to 12:50pm; Section 5, 1:00pm to 1:50pm; Section 6, 2:00pm to 2:50pm).
Course Instructor: Chris Fennell, office in 296 Davenport Hall, phone 333-3616; cell (312) 513-2683; email cfennell@illinois.edu; office hours on Wednesdays, 11am-12pm, 1pm-3pm. Discussion Section Instructors and Teaching Assistants: Kathryn Fay, office 296 Davenport; email kfay2@illinois.edu; office hours on Mondays and Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm; Sarah Otten, office 309R Davenport; email sotten2@illinois.edu; office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-2:30pm.
Class Schedule and Readings:
Week 1. Aug. 24, 26 & 28. Overview & Introduction to Course
Introductory comments and overview of structure of course.
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Introduction.
Discussion section, Aug. 28: Discussion section organizational meeting.
Week 2. Aug. 31, Sept. 2 & 4. History of the Discipline; Archaeology as Anthropology
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 1.
Discussion section, Sept. 4: History of archaeology.
Labor Day break! Sept. 7.
 
Week 3. Sept. 9 & 11. Archaeological Data and Contexts
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 2.
Discussion section, Sept. 11: Pella, an archaeological project in Jordan.
Week 4. Sept. 14, 16 & 18. Site Reconnaissance, Surveys & Excavations
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 3.
Discussion section, Sept. 18: Investigating sites; Khina Ethnoarchaeology Handout.
Week 5. Sept. 21, 23 & 25. Advances in Archaeological Survey Methods; Quiz 1
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 3 (cont'd).
Discussion section, Sept. 25: Quiz 1.
[Cahokia, circa 1100 AD]
Week 6. Sept. 28, 30 & Oct. 2. Dating and Chronologies
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 4.
Discussion section, Oct. 2: Construct types; Ceramics Classification Handout.
Week 7. Oct. 5, 7 & 9. Archaeology of Social Complexity
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 5.
Discussion section, Oct. 9: Power, Prestige and Wealth.
Week 8. Oct. 12, 14 & 16. Past Environments
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 6.
Discussion section, Oct. 16: Review session for Midterm Exam.
Week 9. Oct. 19, 21 & 23. Subsistence and Diet; Midterm Exam
Midterm Exam, Oct. 21.
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 7.
Discussion section, Oct. 23: Roman stratigraphy; Barchester Handout.
Week 10. Oct. 26, 28 & 30. Technologies
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 8.
Discussion section, Oct. 30: Tree of Iron.
[Pyramid and Sphinx, Giza] | 
[Parthenon, Athens] |
Week 11. Nov. 2, 4 & 6. Trade & Exchange
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 9.
Discussion section, Nov. 6: Trade and Exchange; Exercise TBA.
Week 12. Nov. 9, 11 & 13. Ideology, Symbolism & Cognitive Approaches; Quiz 2
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 10.
Discussion section, Nov. 13: Quiz 2.
Week 13. Nov. 16, 18 & 20. Archaeology of People and Physiologies
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 11.
Discussion section, Nov. 20: Representations of the Past; Museum Project Handout.
Thanksgiving break! Nov. 21-29.
Week 14. Nov. 30, Dec. 2 & 4. Explanation and Interpretation in Archaeology
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapters 12 & 13.
Discussion section, Dec. 4: Debates and interpretations.
Week 15. Dec. 7 & 9. Future of the Past & Who Owns the Past?
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 14.
Review for Final Exam.
Final Exam: Dec. 14, 8:00am to 11:00am, Chemistry Annex, Room 112.
Additional internet resources on anthropology and archaeology, which are suggested only and not required reading for this course, are available at:
http://www.anthro.uiuc.edu/faculty/cfennell/bookmark2.html
Additional internet resources on African and African-American archaeology, cultures, and history, which are suggested only and not required reading for this course, are available at:
http://www.diaspora.uiuc.edu/bookmark3.html
Last updated: September 8, 2009
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