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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