Archaeology
Website: sewanee.edu/academics/archaeology/
Archaeology, the study of the human past, crosses many disciplinary lines. The field of archaeology is expanding in both the humanities and the sciences with the application of innovative instrumentation and techniques that allow interdisciplinary teams to address new questions spanning human physical and cultural evolution, subsistence technology and foodways, ancient migration, and prehistoric ritual. With the economic significance of heritage tourism and the expansion of environmental legislation that relates to bio-cultural resources (both in the United States and abroad), career opportunities for students in the field of archaeology are growing.
The minor is overseen by a faculty Steering Committee and does not reside in any one department; members span the sciences and humanities, inasmuch as this minor is inherently interdisciplinary. This group mentors students and guides their progress of study.
Requirements for the Minor in Archaeology
The minor requires successful completion of the following:
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements 1 | ||
| ANTH 106 | Introductory Physical Anthropology and Archaeology | 4 |
| or ANTH 109 | World Prehistory | |
| Select sixteen additional hours from at least two disciplines: 2 | 16 | |
| Celtic Culture and Archaeology | ||
| Archaeology of the Cumberland Plateau | ||
| North American Archaeology | ||
| Field School in Archaeology 3 | ||
| Cultural Resource Practicum | ||
| Artifact Analysis | ||
| Archaeological Resource Management and Policy | ||
| Greek and Roman Art and Architecture | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (Lab) | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Chemistry of Art and Artifacts | ||
| Greek and Roman Private Life | ||
| Epigraphy Field School | ||
| Greek Archaeology | ||
| Roman Archaeology | ||
| Archaeology of Pompeii and Herculaneum | ||
| Exploring Rome and the Bay of Naples | ||
| Advanced Applications of GIS | ||
| Soils (Lab) | ||
| Historical Geology (Lab) | ||
| Sedimentology (Lab) | ||
| Paleoecology | ||
| Ancient Rome | ||
| Medieval Europe II | ||
| Monsters, Marvels, and Museums | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 20 | |
| 1 | No more than one independent study may be used to count towards the minor. One course taken abroad may qualify for the minor requirement, but approval must be obtained from the Steering Committee, ideally before taking the course. |
| 2 | No more than one course in biology (BIOL), forestry (FORS), or geology (GEOL) may be applied towards the minor. |
| 3 | Students are strongly recommended to take an archaeological field school. This may be through the University of the South or elsewhere but must be approved by the Steering Committee to count towards the minor. |
Archaeology Courses
ARCH 213 Cultural Resource Practicum (2)
This practicum focuses on historical or prehistoric cultural resources, both archaeological and standing structures, on the University Domain. Students learn excavation and documentation techniques appropriate to the specific resource type. In addition, artifact processing and cataloging will be covered. The majority of this course is field based. This course can be repeated once for credit.
ARCH 214 Artifact Analysis (4)
This course is a hands-on introduction to interpreting artifacts from archaeological sites. The class consists of a mix of lecture, discussion, laboratory, and in-class exercises on both prehistoric and historic artifact types. It covers all phases of artifact analysis including: defining problem domains, selecting attributes, cataloging data, typology, analysis and interpretation. Student projects center on artifacts from the University Domain collections.
ARCH 330 Environmental Archaeology (4)
The study of the human past requires knowledge of the biological and geophysical systems in which cultures developed and changed. This course explores past environments and the methods and evidence used to reconstruct them. Emphasis is on the integration of geological, botanical, zoological, and bioarchaeological data used to reconstruct Quaternary climates and environments. Prerequisite: ANTH 106 or ANTH 109 or one course with attribute G5E.
ARCH 332 Archaeological Resource Management and Policy (4)
This course explores international and national approaches to archaeological heritage management. It includes review of public policy that protect sites (much of it incorporated into environmental legislation) and of regulations that guide the process. The course centers around study of how the determination of such policies affects negotiation between the past and present as archaeologists, various governments, descendant communities, and others try to balance a concern for preservation with growing demand for development and sustainability. Interwoven into the course are topics such as how diverse cultures view the past, the growing commodification of archaeological sites in the tourist trade, the antiquities market, and careers in cultural resource management.
ARCH 350 Special Topics in Archaeology (4)
This course focuses on a topic in archaeology that is not fully covered in existing courses. Content will vary from semester to semester. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs. Prerequisite: ANTH 106 or ANTH 109 or CLST 207 or CLST 208 or CLST 220.
ARCH 444 Independent Study (2 or 4)
Research, reading, and writing on a topic guided by a faculty member relating to archaeology.