Course Overview

ARCHY 465: Public Archaeology

University of Washington—Winter 2007

 

 

Classroom: Savery 243

Meeting times: Mon, Wed. 1:30-3:50

Course Website: http://faculty.washington.edu/plape/pubarchwin07/pubarch465.htm                  

 

Instructor: Peter V. Lape       

Office: Denny 138

Office hours: Tuesdays 2-3 PM or by appt.

Office phone: 206-685-9364

Email: plape@u.washington.edu

 

Course summary:

This course is an examination of archaeology as practiced, regulated, represented and paid for in the world outside of academia. We will review the development of cultural resource management (CRM) laws in the context of other social changes in the US and internationally, investigate archaeology job opportunities outside of academia, as well as look at how the public (or publics) knows about, supports or opposes, and pays for archaeology.

 

Learning goals:

By the end of the quarter, you should have gained the following:

  • An understanding of the various conflicts and ethical issues inherent in archaeology
  • Familiarity with the basic skills required for employment in the CRM industry
  • Writing and speaking skills necessary for effective communication with various publics

 

Course requirements:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss and write about assigned material for each class meeting
  • Write a position paper based on your assigned role in the case study
  • Pass a quiz on cultural resource laws
  • Write a public archaeology project proposal and present a summary of it to a review panel made up of your peers
  • Attend (as often as possible) UW Friday Afternoon Archaeology Lectures (Fridays, 3:30 - 5:00, Denny 401), and other public archaeology talks and events in the area. Extra credit is available in some cases (see course schedule).

 

Student assessment:

Class members will be graded on the following terms (see Assignments and Due Dates page for details):

            25% class participation

            20% law quiz

25% position paper

            30% public archaeology project proposal (including panel presentation)

 

Other things you should know about the class:

  • This class will be primarily a seminar discussion format. This format works best if everyone does the reading and comes to class prepared to talk. There is an on-line discussion board to accommodate extended discussions that go beyond our allotted time, but the focus of the class will be face-to-face interaction.
  • We will be discussing highly contentious and emotional issues at times, and it imperative that everyone respects the diverse viewpoints of other seminar participants.
  • To avoid public embarrassment, please turn off cell phones during class.
  • Please email me in advance if you cannot make it to class. I plan each discussion with specific students in mind, and need to know if you are not going to be there.
  • Late assignments are not accepted without prior approval and plagiarism will be rewarded with a failing grade. See the Assignments and Due Dates page for more information.
  • I welcome ongoing feedback about the class. Please feel free to send me suggestions for improvement at any time during the quarter.

 

Texts:

The following books will be available for purchase at the University Book Store and will also be on reserve at the Odegaard Undergraduate Library. I recommend that anyone considering a career in archaeology have these in his or her personal library. Additional readings will be available electronically on the Schedule and Readings page.

 

King, Thomas F

2004     Cultural Resource Laws and Practice: An introductory guide, second edition. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press.

 

Zimmerman, Larry, Karen Vitelli and Julie Hollowell-Zimmer, eds.

2003     Ethical Issues in Archaeology. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press.

 

Zimmerman, Larry       

            2003     Presenting the Past. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press.