Nov 23, 2024  
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT 
    
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ARC 225 - Principles of Archaeology

3 Credits, 4 Contact Hours
2.5 lecture periods 1.5 lab periods
Survey of the concepts and methods which archaeologists use to reconstruct human prehistory. Includes a history of archaeology; overview of archaeological theory, discussion of methods of archaeological survey, remote sensing, and excavation; dating methods; archaeological analysis and classification; interpretation of archaeological data; and the role of archaeology in the protection of archaeological resources.

Information: Same as ANT 225 .
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss archaeology as a subfield of anthropology.
  2. Describe methods of archaeological data acquisition and analysis.
  3. Give examples of archaeological approaches to the interpretation of past human behavior.
  4. Identify ethical issues in archaeology.
  5. Present the results of research in archaeology.

Performance Objectives:
  1. Discuss the historical development of the field of archaeology.
  2. Describe theoretical approaches in archaeology.
  3. Review methods of archaeological survey, remote sensing, and excavation.
  4. Describe methods used to date archaeological materials.
  5. Discuss the analysis and classification of archaeological materials.
  6. Explain the role of middle-level theory in archaeology.
  7. Summarize various approaches to the interpretation of archaeological data and the reconstruction of past human behavior.
  8. Discuss the role of archaeology in protecting, interpreting, and managing cultural resources.

Outline:
  1. History of Archaeology
  1. Theoretical approaches in archaeology
    1. The scientific method in archaeology
    2. Processual archaeology
    3. Post-processual archaeology
  2. Method and Techniques of Archaeological Survey, Remote Sensing, and Excavation
  3. Archaeological Dating Methods
  4. Archaeological Analysis and Classification
    1. Analysis of archaeological materials
    2. Classification of archaeological materials
  5. Middle-Level Archaeological Research
    1. Taphonomy
    2. Experimental archaeology
    3. Ethnoarchaeology
  6. Interpretation of Archaeological Data and Reconstruction of Past Human Behavior
    1. Subsistence
    2. Bioarchaeology
    3. Social and political systems
    4. Ideology and symbols
    5. Cultural evolution
    6. Historical archaeology
  7. Archaeology and Cultural Resources
    1. Preservation of the Archaeological Record
    2. Cultural resource management
    3. Ethical Considerations