Course Overview

ARCHY 469a: History and Archaeology

University of Washington--Spring 2001

 

Course Overview

Course Schedule

Final projects

Due Dates

 

Classroom: Chemistry Library 21  

Meeting times: Tue, Thurs. 10:30-12:50   

                       

Instructor: Peter V. Lape          

Office: Burke Museum Rm. 30 (when you visit, you must call me first from the reception desk at the rear, loading dock entrance to the Museum)

Office hours: Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:00 PM, or by appointment

Office phone: 685-2282

Email: plape@u.washington.edu


 

Click here to send comments about the class to the instructor (anonymous if you prefer)

 

Course summary:

This course will investigate how archaeologists can use written documents, oral histories along with archaeological data in their research. We will examine the relationship between the disciplines of history, archaeology and anthropology, the development of “historical archaeology” and “ethnohistory”, and the implications for using different types of evidence for investigating and representing the past.

 

Aims:

Understand the various theoretical approaches used by anthropologists and archaeologists to incorporate written and oral history along with archaeological data. Gain experience with developing research designs and writing that incorporate archeological materials, historical documents and oral traditions.

 

Requirements:

            1. Read and be prepared to discuss assigned material each class meeting. I will call on individuals each week to provide a brief summary of the readings.

 

2. Write short review articles as assigned throughout the quarter. These should provide a brief summary of each reading for that date (what is the point the author(s) want to make? How well do they do it?), and a brief synopsis of how the various articles fit together. These should be 3-5 pages in length, and will be distributed to your classmates at the beginning of class, so please bring in sufficient copies for everyone. You can work individually, or divide the reviews amongst your review-mates. If you choose the latter, someone should tie everything together.

 

            3. Complete a final project on history and archaeology (see Final Project page for details)

 

Assessment:

            Class members will be graded on the following terms:

                        30% class participation

                        20% review articles—due as assigned

                        50% final paper or project

                                    10% paper/project proposal—due April 24

                                    40% paper/project final draft—due June 1

 

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.

 

 

Texts:

The following books have been ordered at the University Book Store and will also be on reserve at the Odegaard Undergraduate Library.

 

Andren, Anders
1998    Between Artifacts and Texts: Historical archaeology in global perspective. Plenum, New York.

Schmidt, Peter and Patterson, Thomas
1995    Making Alternative Histories: The practice of archaeology and history in non-western settings. SAR Press, Santa Fe.

 

Funari, Pedro Paulo A., Martin Hall and Sian Jones (Editors)

1999    Historical Archaeology: Back from the edge. Routledge, New York

The Schmidt and Patterson and the Funari et al. books are optional purchases. Selections from these two books will be available on electronic reserve. Other readings will be available on Regular and/or Electronic Reserve.

 

Useful websites:

 

            The Society for Historical Archaeology is the leading American organization promoting historical and underwater archaeology

 

            The Society for American Archaeology occasionally includes information about historical archaeology

 

The Association of Historical Archaeologists of the Pacific Northwest has an exhaustive links section and updates on current research