BURIED CITIES AND LOST TRIBES: NEW WORLD
FALL 2001
TR 7:30-8:45 A.M.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Shereen Lerner
PHONE: 461-7306
E-MAIL ADDRESS: slerner@mail.mc.maricopa.edu
OFFICE HOURS: 10:15-11:00 Tuesday/Thursday or by appointment
TEXT: T. Douglas Price and Gary M. Feinman, Images of the Past,
2nd ed. (Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Co., 1997).
Archaeology is about material culture—the things that people use to adapt to the world around them. Archaeology is about anthropology—the study of humankind. Archaeology is more than "things" in a museum or "things" that are necessarily old. These "things" are part of people's material culture, and they can tell us how people used them and what context these and other parts of the material culture played in their lives. Archaeologists ponder the things left behind by peoples who lived and died through almost two million years of human existence. These material remains are called artifacts and features. It is artifacts and features that help archaeologists reconstruct the hows and whys of people's lives. Buried Cities and Lost Tribes is a journey into some of the lessons that archaeologists have learned or are unfolding in the study of humankind.
Important links:
Mesa Community College Department of Anthropology
Introduction to Archaeology, Mesa Community College Department of Anthropology (Effland and MCC 2004)
Mesa Community College Department of Anthropology Internet Activity Areas
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/academic/cult_sci/anthro/learning/index.html
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
Topics and relevant Web addresses (these will be verified prior to each assignment):
1. What is Anthropology; Defining Culture
"What is Culture" (Miraglia et al. 1999) (note: if you are redirected to the WSU General Education page, click on "Learning Modules," then "What is Culture").
Consider the four subfields of anthropology: what are the critical elements of each? In what way are they linked together to form the discipline of anthropology? Define and discuss three key elements of culture. DUE AUGUST 30.
2. The Nature of Archaeology
"Indiana Jones Meets Reality: Adventure
into Archaeology" (Effland and MCC 2004).
ArchNet: World Wide Web Virtual Library—Archaeology (Archaeological Research Institute, Arizona State University, 2003).
Define six important terms and concepts (don't just look at the first six!). How do these terms and concepts better help you to understand or interpret the past? What can be lost due to vandalism? What can be gained by conducting research on the past? Based on your reading, what is archaeology? DUE SEPTEMBER 11.
Case Study of Los Hornos"Los Hornos: A Case Study in Chronology" (Effland and MCC 2004)
Reconstruction of population (in-class activity).
3. Hunting and Foraging as a Way of Life
Human Lifeways (Effland and MCC 2004)
Why might hunting and gathering, as a way of life, have been successful as a basis for survival? What made it so successful? Use examples. DUE SEPTEMBER 20.
4. New Adaptations: Food Production
Human Lifeways (Effland and MCC 2004)
Using examples from sites we have studied, write about the impacts of agriculture on society. Consider the steps that lead to change as a result of the domestication of plants and animals; consider both short- and long-term change. DUE OCTOBER 9.
5. Tribes and Chiefdoms of North America
Greater Complexity: Chiefdoms (Effland and MCC 2004)
Characteristics of Chiefdoms (Effland and MCC 2004)
Ancient Architects of the Mississippi (NPS 2004)
A Different Look at the Mississippian Culture and Cahokia (Rank at Cahokia)(Effland and MCC 2004)
Some links to sites about Archaeology of the Eastern Woodlands
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Home Page
Types of Societies (Effland and MCC 2004)
What are the factors involved in increasing complexity of a society? Consider the Moundbuilders (Mississippian and Hopewell) and think about the basis of integration of a society in terms of interaction spheres, confederacies, and chiefdoms. Do you need agriculture to become more complex? DUE OCTOBER 18.
6. Spirituality and Complexity
The World of God Kings (Effland and MCC 2004)
http://archaeology.la.asu.edu/teo/fsp/
Main Introduction to MCC Mayan Archaeology Pages (Effland and MCC 2004)
Introduction to MCC Anthropology Moche Information Pages Effland and MCC (2004)
Moche Shaman Kings and Curer Shamans (Effland and MCC 2004)
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/academic/cult_sci/anthro/lost_tribes/moche/moche_chimu.html
How is the spiritual world connected to the real world in the development of complexity in Mesoamerica and South America? Also consider ancestor worship as a means to tie a society together (e.g., Chinchorro, Wari, Inca); what is the significance of a "cult" of the ancestors? Why are ancestors important to human societies? DUE OCTOBER 30.
7. Political Power and Rise of Complex Societies
The Moche (Raine et al. 1997)
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/academic/cult_sci/anthro/lost_tribes/Power.html
The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations (Effland and MCC 2004)
Latin American Prehistory (Minnesota State University, Mankato, EMuseum 2003a)
Chile 's Ancient Mummies (Allison 1985)
Main Introduction to MCC Mayan Archaeology Pages (Effland and MCC 2004)
Consider the development of political power and its relationship to economics and/or the spiritual world in Mesoamerica and South America. Was the rise of political power related to trade and the control of resources, or was control of the natural world through the belief system important? Justify your answer. DUE NOVEMBER 13.
8. Rise of Empires
Aymara Creation and Celestial World View (Kolata 1996)
The Realm of the Tahuantinsuyu: Land of the Four Quarters (Effland and MCC 2004)
http://www.rain.org/~pjenkin/civiliz/civiliza.html
The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (McIntyre 2001)
The Inca and Aztec are the complex end-products of Mesoamerican and South American civilizations. How did these empires arise? What are the key characteristics of these civilizations that are found at the sites? DUE NOVEMBER 27.
9. Collapse of Complex Cultures
Collapse: Why Do Civilizations Fail? (Annenberg/CPB 2001)
The Elder Brothers (Effland and MCC 2004)
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/academic/cult_sci/anthro/lost_tribes/dustbowl.html
Social Strife May Have Exiled Ancient Indians (Johnson 1996)
What do you think is at the heart of the collapse of complex cultures? Why is it that the rise and fall syndrome appears to repeat itself over time? DUE DECEMBER 6.
10. Preserving the Past for the Future: What Can Archaeology Teach Us?
Vandalism and Loss of Archaeology (Effland and MCC 2004)
Copan Update: Maya Tomb Ransacked (National Geographic 1998)
Ancient Agriculture at Tiwanaku (Fagan 2004)
Archaeological Resources Protection (NPS SEAC 2004)
National Park Service Submerged Resources Center Home Page (NPS SRC 2004)
National Park Service Links to the Past (NPS 2004a)
Are there things we ought to know from the past that can help us in the future? What can archaeology teach us about the past, and what is lost when we don't properly study the past?
Reflect on some aspect of the ancient world that you find significant. What have you learned about the study of archaeology and the study of the past? What have you learned about humanity in general? DUE DECEMBER 11.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND FORMAT
Attendance Policy: This course and its graded activities are heavily based upon lectures, class discussions, and activities. To do well in the class, you MUST attend class, listen, participate in class discussions and activities, and take useful notes. A sign-up sheet will be available at the beginning of each class period. Failure to sign your name on the list represents an absence. If you cannot avoid missing a class, give me a call prior to class. If I do not hear from you, your absence will be recorded as "unaccounted". If you miss more than 4 1/2 hours (3 classes) of unaccounted classroom instruction, you may be withdrawn from the course. If you have a pattern of missing classes, even though your absences are "accounted for," you may also be withdrawn from the class. I prefer not to withdraw anyone, so please let me know if there are problems so we can try to resolve them.
Grading and Evaluation: Recognizing that not everyone is a good test-taker, I offer a number of different ways for you to earn points. Some of these are take-home, others are done in class. All of these are required to complete the class. Late assignments will not be accepted.
| Project | Points |
|---|---|
| Reflections (9) | 135 (15 points each) |
| Final Synthesis | 25 |
| Current Events (4) | 20 (5 points each) |
| Class Activities (4) | 40 (10 points each) |
| Videos (4) | 20 (5 points each) |
| TOTAL 240 |
Your grade will be based on the cumulative total of all projects and any extra-credit points you earn. You can estimate your grade by using the following as a guide (I may modify these numbers if necessary):
A = 216-240
B = 192-215
C = 168-191
D = 144-167
Experiential Learning Activity: You will be given the opportunity to substitute an experiential learning project for one paper or as extra credit. The idea of experiential learning is to provide you with the opportunity to apply your classroom-based knowledge to a "real-world" experience.
Examples of experiential learning projects will be discussed in class; you must have my prior approval of any project you propose.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Disabilities: I will make any reasonable accommodations for limitations due to disabilities, including learning disabilities. Please see me personally before or after class or during my office hours to discuss any special needs you might have. If you have a documented disability and require specific accommodations, you will need to contact the Disability Resources and Services Office at 461-7447, in Building 37, Student Services Complex, to obtain an "Instructor Notification Form."
Honesty: Cheating is unethical and not acceptable. Plagiarism is using information or original wording in a paper without giving credit to the source of that information or wording; it is also not acceptable. If you are found to be cheating, your essay or assignment will be taken away from you and you will receive no points. You may be subject to disciplinary action, per MCC policy.
Sharing: I am willing to listen to all comments, complaints, and suggestions regarding the class. The best way to have a good class is to work together. I believe in sharing experiences that relate to the class, and if you participate, the class will be more rewarding. I am also willing to assist you in advising if you have questions about registration, courses, and in particular, anthropology as a major.
You may audiotape class lectures if you wish. Please TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES during the class period. I reserve the right to answer the phone if it rings.
Course content may vary to meet the needs of this class.
Continued enrollment in this course implies that you have read and accepted the conditions listed in this syllabus.