ARCHAEOLOGY 3510
Memorial University
Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
ARCHAEOLOGY 3510: Prehistory of the New World
Instructor: Dr. Lisa Rankin Phone: 737-4808
Office: QC-4009 lrankin@mun.ca
Text:
1. Fiedel, Stuart J.
1999. Prehistory of the Americas. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press: New York.
Description:
This course is a survey of the prehistory of North, South and Central America from the entry of humans until the time of European contact. Topics include: the earliest human migrations and the dispersal of human groups throughout the New World; the development of complex hunting-gathering societies; the origins of agriculture and sedentism; early civilizations.
Course Requirements:
The course is a lecture course. Attendance is not mandatory, but you probably cannot expect to pass the class if you do not attend. The course grade will be calculated from two written assignment as well as a mid-term and final exam.
The due dates and mark weighting for the assignments and exams are as follows.
Assignment 1: 30% of final grade
Assignment 2: 30% of final grade
Mid-Term Exam 15% of final grade
Final Exam 15% of final grade
Only a note from your medical doctor or your Dean of Studies will be accepted for late assignments and missed exams. Assignments submitted late will receive a 5% grade deduction per business day.
All students are STRONGLY encouraged to submit assignments in word processed form.
Lecture Outline
Date | Topic | Readings |
Week 1 |
Course Overview Handed Out
Introduction to New World Archaeology |
Text Chapter 1 |
Week 2 |
Peopling the Americas |
Text Chapter 2 |
Week 3 |
The PaleoIndians |
Text Chapter 3 |
Week 4 |
The Archaic |
Text Chapter 4 |
Week 5 |
The Archaic Transition |
Text Chapter 4 |
Week 6 |
The Origins of Village Life |
Text Chapter 5 |
Week 7 |
Mid-term Examination
The Origins of Village Life |
In class;
Text Chapter 5 |
Week 8 |
The Origins of Village Life/Agriculture |
Text Chapter 5 |
Week 9 |
The Origins of Village Life/Agriculture |
Text Chapter 5 |
Week 10 |
Emergence of Civilizations |
Text Chapter 6 |
Week 11 |
Assignment 1 due
Civilizations |
In Class
Text Chapter 6 |
Week 12 |
Civilizations |
Text Chapter 6 |
Week 13 |
European Arrival the Contact Period |
Text Chapter 6 |
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