This course is being offered as a second 8 weeks class.

In this course, we will read several fictionalized accounts of life in
Ancient North America, written by anthropologists, Native Americans,
and novelists, as a means to think critically and creatively about the
past.  We will use these novels to consider what we think we know
about this topic – from archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence
and from ethnoarchaeological and anthropological research – and to
discuss the language of archaeological writing.  We will explore the
role and place of narrative and imagination in the constructions of
the past and how these authors utilize available data.  We will
consider the success of each author in expanding, challenging, and
constraining our understandings. Most of the novels will be set in the
past, from the first inhabitants of this continent 11,000 years ago to
their descendants who met European invaders in the sixteenth century,
and another novel will discuss the past by presenting a contemporary
archaeologist as the lead character.  The grade will primarily be
based on participation, discussion, and a final take-home exam.
Graduate students enrolled in the course are also expected to write a
short research paper and creative essay.  Mondays will generally be
devoted to discussions of the novels, and on Wednesdays we will
discuss the archaeological evidence behind the stories.

Pre-requisites: Introduction to Archaeology (Anth P200 or equivalent)
is recommended. The most important thing you can bring to the class is
your enthusiasm and a willingness to read the materials on time and to
participate in the discussions.