Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/

Required Text:

People of the Earth (10th ed.) by Brian M. Fagan (2001, Prentice Hall). ISBN 0-13-028321-5.

Course Description:

Modern archaeology draws much of its theories and goals from anthropology. This course will show how archaeologists use the fragmentary traces left by past peoples to develop an anthropological understanding of their cultures. We will explore the variety of ways archaeologists investigate such things as prehistoric diet and health, social life, politics, technology, and religion. Topics to be covered include: the emergence of modern humans, the nature of archaeological data, dating techniques, interpretation of material objects, archaeological ethics, etc. Studies from around the world will be used to illustrate major shifts in human history (the origins of agriculture, the origins of cities, etc.), the range of human adaptation in the past, and the general sequence of human biological and social evolution. The course will provide an understanding of how and why we study past societies, as well as the unique contribution archaeology can make to understand ourselves, our past, and our future.

Course Objectives:

A. To understand the general outline and events of world prehistory.

B. To learn about human origins and the emergence of early human ancestors.

C. To study the spread of humans across the face of the earth.

D. To investigate the origins of agriculture and animal domestication.

E. To realize that the history of civilizations has been characterized by numerous rises and falls and to appreciate what this pattern implies for our own civilization.

Course Requirements, Grading Procedure, and Attendance Policy:

Your attendance during class lectures is crucial to your learning experience in this class. Therefore, 20% of your grade is based on class attendance. There will also be 5 multiple choice tests over the course of the semester that are worth 16% each. This class uses the 10-point grading scale (90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below = F). Absences will affect your performance in this class. Missed tests due to unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excuses must be signed by a parent or doctor giving a valid explanation for the absence. Evidence of funeral or other event must be documented with a newspaper announcement and/or a church program. There will be no make up opportunities in this class. Your grade in this class is calculated as follows:

20% of your grade is based on attendance (I stress attendance)

80% of your grade is based on tests (5) at 16% each

100%: TOTAL POSSIBLE PERCENTAGE POINTS

Course Schedule:

You are expected to have read the assignments prior to coming to class each day.

August

M 19: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD PREHISTORY.

W 21: Chapter 1, Introducing World Prehistory. Basic Concepts in Archaeology. (How Do We Know How Old Things Are? Relative and Absolute Dating Techniques.)

F 23: Chapter 1, Introducing World Prehistory. Basic Concepts in Archaeology.

M 26: BEGINNINGS: HUMAN ORIGINS TO MODERN HOMO SAPIENS. Chapter 2, Human Origins; Chapter 3, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Hominid Skulls. Evolution Slides. Stone Tools and Artifacts.

W 28: Chapter 2, Human Origins; Chapter 3, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Hominid Skulls. Evolution Slides. Stone Tools and Artifacts.

F 30: Chapter 2, Human Origins; Chapter 3, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Hominid Skulls. Evolution Slides. Stone Tools and Artifacts.

September

M 2: Labor Day Holiday. No Class.

W 4: Chapter 2, Human Origins; Chapter 3, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Hominid Skulls. Evolution Slides. Stone Tools and Artifacts.

F 6: Chapter 2, Human Origins; Chapter 3, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Hominid Skulls. Evolution Slides. Stone Tools and Artifacts. HUMAN ORIGINS WEBCAST.

M 9: THE GREAT DIASPORA: THE SPREAD OF MODERN HUMANS. Chapter 4, Europe and Asia; Chapter 5, The First Americans.

W 11: Chapter 4, Europe and Asia and Chapter 5, The First Americans. The Great Arrival Debate - Where and When? VIDEO: 500 Nations #1 (?).

F 13: TEST 1: Chapters 1-5.

M 16: THE GREAT DIASPORA, PART II. Chapter 6, Africans and Australians; Chapter 7, Intensification and Complexity.

W 18: Chapter 6, Africans and Australians; Chapter 7, Intensification and Complexity.

F 20: Chapter 6, Africans and Australians; Chapter 7, Intensification and Complexity. VIDEO: Australian Aborigines.

M 23: FIRST FARMERS: THE INVENTION OF AGRICULTURE. Chapter 8, A Plenteous Harvest; Chapter 9, The Origins of Food Production in Southwest Asia.

W 25: Chapter 8, A Plenteous Harvest; Chapter 9, The Origins of Food Production in Southwest Asia.

F 27: Chapter 8, A Plenteous Harvest; Chapter 9, The Origins of Food Production in Southwest Asia. Paleopathology at the Origins of Agriculture. Paleopathology Slides.

M 30: FIRST FARMERS, PART II. Chapter 10, The First European Farmers; Chapter 11, First Farmers in Europe and Tropical Africa.

October

W 2: Chapter 10, The First European Farmers; Chapter 11, First Farmers in Europe and Tropical Africa.

F 4: Chapter 10, The First European Farmers; Chapter 11, First Farmers in Europe and Tropical Africa.

M 7: FIRST FARMERS, PART III. Chapter 12, Asia and the Pacific; Chapter 13, The Story of Maize.

W 9: Chapter 12, Asia and the Pacific; Chapter 13, The Story of Maize.

F 11: TEST 2: Chapters 6-13.

M 14: THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS: THEORY AND THE MIDDLE EAST. Chapter 14, The Development of Civilization.

W 16: Chapter 14, The Development of Civilization.

F 18: Chapter 15. Early Civilization in Southwest Asia.

M 21: Chapter 15. Early Civilization in Southwest Asia.

W 23: Chapter 15. Early Civilization in Southwest Asia.

F 25: THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS, PART II: DEVELOPMENTS IN EGYPT AND AFRICA. Chapter 16, Egypt, Nubia, and Africa.

M 28: Chapter 16, Egypt, Nubia, and Africa. VIDEO: Egypt: Quest for Eternity.

W 30: Chapter 16, Egypt, Nubia, and Africa. VIDEO: Africa Before the Europeans.

November

F 1: TEST 3: Chapters 14-16.

M 4: THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS, PART III: DEVELOPMENTS IN ASIA. Chapter 18, Early Chinese Civilization; Chapter 17, Early States in South and Southeast Asia.

W 6: Chapter 18, Early Chinese Civilization; Chapter 17, Early States in South and Southeast Asia. VIDEO: China.

F 8: Chapter 18, Early Chinese Civilization; Chapter 17, Early States in South and Southeast Asia.

M 11: THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS, PART IV: THE MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPE. Chapter 19, Hittites, Minoans, and Mycenaeans; Chapter 20, Europe Before the Romans.

W 13: Chapter 19, Hittites, Minoans, and Mycenaeans; Chapter 20, Europe Before the Romans. VIDEO: In the Shadow of Vesuvius, or The Romans.

F 15: TEST 4: Chapters 17-20.

M 18: THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS, PART IV: DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW WORLD. Chapter 21, Mesoamerican Civilizations.

W 20: Chapter 21, Mesoamerican Civilizations.

F 22: Chapter 21, Mesoamerican Civilizations. VIDEO: The Aztecs, etc.

M 25: Chapter 21, Mesoamerican Civilizations.

W 27: Thanksgiving Holiday. No class.

F 29: Thanksgiving Holiday. No class.

December

M 2: Chapter 22, Andean States.

W 4: Chapter 22, Andean States.

F 6: Chapter 22, Andean States. Slides of Work in Colombia. VIDEO: The Kogi of Colombia (?). (Last Day of Classes.)

W 11: TEST 5: Chapters 21-22 (Final Exam). 8:00-9:00 AM.

Disclaimer:

This schedule is an outline of planned course readings and activities that may be modified to allow for addition or deletion of certain classroom materials, discussions, guest speakers, etc. Movies or videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance.

Cellular Phones, Beepers, Pagers, and Other Disruptions in Class:

Disruption of class due to cellular phones, beepers, pagers, etc. will NOT be tolerated. Students are required to turn OFF all cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. prior to the beginning of class. Students disrupting the class with such devices will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be readmitted for the remainder of the class. It is also requested that students NOT carry on private conversations during lectures or during videos, as it is extremely rude and distracting to your classmates and to your professor.

Honor Code:

Students attending GC&SU and attending this class are expected to adhere to the GC&SU Honor Code. All incoming freshmen should receive information about the Honor Code during orientation. All students should familiarize themselves with the GC&SU Honor Code. The Honor Code is located in the 2000-2002 Undergraduate Catalog (pp. 58-59) and online at: http://www.gcsu.edu/student_affairs/Student_Handbook/honor/honor.html

Requests for Modifications:

Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet with the professor as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodations.

In Case of Fire:

In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor.

Drop Date:

The last day to withdraw from this class without academic penalty is October 14, 2002.