Anth 3130   |   Notes from First Class, 5 Jan 2006   |   Dr. Kathryn Denning

Archaeology and Society: Local Pasts in a Global Present

IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST CLASS -- PLEASE PICK UP A COURSE OUTLINE FROM OUTSIDE KD'S OFFICE, VARI 2029.

Your Homework for Next Week's Class, on 12 January

This is a small writing assignment designed to help me get to know you as students, and to help you to start thinking about archaeology and society. It should be no more than 700 words long – be concise. Your tasks:

a) Write a paragraph answering these questions: What do you hope to gain from this course? What interests you about archaeology and society? How does this connect with your background, life experience, or other courses you've taken? Please specify your year of study, your major, and related courses you've taken.

b) As you go through your ordinary activities this week, look around you carefully for things to do with archaeology. Perhaps an advertisement will use a picture of Ancient Egypt. Maybe you’ll see a television show about the past. Perhaps you’ll see someone who is wearing a necklace with an ancient symbol on it. Keep track of all these connections between everyday society and archaeology, and write a paragraph reflecting on the role of the past in the present.

This is worth 1% of your class participation mark for the year. Be ready to talk about your answer to (b) in class. Please hand the assignment in at class next week on 12 January. On the first page of your assignment, clearly write: your name and student number, the course number & name, and my name.

Reading to do for next class, 12 January.

Our initial readings in this course are on general issues in archaeology and society.

Required: Ashmore and Sharer, selection from Discovering Our Past. Photocopies available outside KD’s office, Vari 2029.

Recommended: review your own archaeology textbook from a previous course or browse one from the library, e.g. Brian Fagan’s books Ancient Lives, Brief Introduction to Archaeology, or People of the Earth.

Recommended: Browse some general readings exploring contemporary archaeology in society: ONLINE here -- just explore this website: www.archaeology.org