HIST 2821/SOCI 1206 Introduction to Archaeology: A Survey of World Prehistory

Abstract

Course Prospectus: This course is an introduction to world prehistory, with an emphasis on the rise of social and political complexity. We begin with the cultural remains of nomadic peoples of the Upper Paleolithic. We then study the transition to agriculture among various communities worldwide and the gradual rise in social complexity that led to the formation of cities and state-level societies. We will focus on early states such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and Mesoamerica. This course fulfills Foundations and Contemporary Perspectives. Goal 1: Students will demonstrate understanding of the process of archaeological inquiry and explain how archaeological knowledge is discovered, analyzed, and communicated. Objective 1a: Students should understand the meaning and use of archaeological terminology, be able to identify relevant evidence, and be able to make reasonable inferences from it. Objective 1b: Students should be able to research a particular site, gather evidence, and convert evidence into “data” for interpretation and presentation (both orally and in writing). Goal 2: Students should understand world pre-history from Paleolithic times to first civilizations. Objective 2a: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the transition to agriculture and the development of state-level society. Objective 2b: Students will demonstrate knowledge of specific examples in both the Old World (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China) and New World (Olmec, Maya, Aztecs).