Archaeology Major Requirements
(Also see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)
Requirements for the major include 13 courses and a fieldwork requirement (40 credits). These can be selected from a diversity of offerings available from different departments. In addition, students must take a core of three courses consisting of Introduction to Archaeology, World Prehistory, and Archaeological Method and Theory. Except for some field experiences, majors must complete all courses required for the major for a letter grade and receive a grade of C- or higher.
Writing in the Major
Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major. For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by completing AS.130.177 World Prehistory: An Anthropological Perspective, a required 3 credit course of the major, and by selecting one of their electives (at least 3 credits) for the major that is designated as a Writing and Communications course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| AS.136.101 | Introduction To Archaeology | 3 |
| AS.130.177 | World Prehistory: An Anthropological Perspective | 3 |
| AS.130.354/AS.131.654 | Archaeological Method and Theory | 3 |
| Any Anthropology course numbered AS.070.1xx-4xx | 3 | |
| Six archaeology courses, at least four of which must be 300-level or higher (POS Tag ARCH-ARCH) | 18 | |
| Three additional related courses, to be decided in conjunction with the student’s advisor, pertinent to the archaeological issues the student has focused on. (POS-Tag ARCH-RELATE) | 9 | |
| Significant archaeological field experience (consult faculty advisor) 1 | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
All students must enroll in AS.136.505 Archaeology Fieldwork Independent Study for 1 credit (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) during the term in which the fieldwork is conducted. Additional directions are found on the Archaeology program website.
Sample Program of Study
In addition to the example plan as shown below, students are required to complete significant archaeological field experience. This is commonly done during the summer(s) after sophomore and/or junior year(s).
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.136.101 | 3 | AS.130.177 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.070.1xx-4xx Anthropology course | 3 | AS.130.354 | 3 |
| Archaeology course #1 | 3 | Archaeology course #2 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Archaeology course #3 | 3 | Archaeology course #4 | 3 |
| Additional related course #1 | 3 | Additional related course #2 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Archaeology course #5 | 3 | Archaeology course #6 | 3 |
| Additional related course #3 | 3 | ||
| 6 | 3 | ||
| Total Credits 39 | |||
Honors Program
Archaeology majors have the option of writing an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. The thesis is based on an original research problem developed in conjunction with that faculty member. Successful completion of the thesis (B+ or higher) will result in the conferring of a BA with honors.
Students must pass 6 credits (2 semesters: AS.136.510 Archaeology Major Honors Thesis I and AS.136.511 Archaeology Major Honors Thesis II) of honors thesis to earn honors in the Archaeology Major. These credits are in addition to and exceed the number of credits needed for the major.
Students who are interested in pursuing an honors thesis should begin to discuss possibilities with a faculty advisor as early as possible and no later than during the second semester of Junior year. A proposal for the thesis must be approved by the faculty advisor before the student registers for the courses and no later than the end of the second semester of the Junior year.
The student will work closely with the faculty advisor, setting a timeline for completing research and submitting drafts of the thesis. A full draft of the thesis is due by the end of March of the Senior year, if the student wants to be listed as receiving honors on the commencement program. The final version of the thesis must be handed in by the last day of classes.
Learning Outcomes
- Acquire the basic skills for understanding theory, interpretation, and methods in archaeology.
- Develop an ability to analyze archaeological data through the reading and interpretation of archaeological publications and study of primary data.
- Conduct analyses and interpretations of material culture in precise, well-organized, and persuasive language, both orally and in writing.
- Acquire interdisciplinary knowledge of different past human cultures.
- Gain significant knowledge of the material culture of at least one region or thematic issue.
- Acquire on-site experience and expertise in archaeological method through fieldwork.