Doing Archaeology, course design, and learning outcomes 

WEEK 1:  UNDERSTANDING WHAT ARCHAEOLOGY IS, IT'S VALUE, AND HOW IT IS PRACTICED 
Our focus at the beginning of the course is building a foundational knowledge of archaeology. The information presented, methods learned, and discussions are also essential for understanding the rest of the course. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing Week 1, you should be able to: 
  • Identify evidence that supports inferences that lead to interpretations of the past
  • Evaluate claims about the past based on the strengths (or weaknesses) of the available evidence (improves critical thinking). In other words, "how we know what we know" 
  • Describe several major transitions (beginnings) in the human past in time and space
  • Orient a map, take a compass bearing, and identify multiple USGS topographic symbols [because these are necessary archaeological skills and they develop your competence in spatial thinking and reasoning)
  • Begin the process of understanding the value of a long-term (archaeologically and anthropologically) informed view of the world. This implies understanding what insights can be gained about the present and future. 
  • Begin to identify the process of mapping an archaeological site
ACTIVITIES & METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
Week 2:  BUILDING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK
Archaeology involves both conceptual and methodological approaches. We'll build some foundational skills with an emphasis on technical writing - a necessary archaeological skill!
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing Week 2, you should be able to: 
  • Begin to understand the process of archaeological knowledge creation
  • Identify and practice technical writing at a beginner to intermediate level 
  • Understand how Native Americans have shaped archaeological practice in the SW and how archaeological practice has influenced Native communities 
  • Discuss with competence and nuance the relationship between Native peoples and archaeologists of the American Southwest. 
  • Advance your understanding of GIS mapping of an archaeological site
  • Document (with beginner-level competence) an archaeological site and participate in archaeological survey work
  • Use collaborative tools for managing team projects with many parts (i.e., Dropbox, OneNote)
  • Become more knowledgeable about how to be comfortable in the outdoors by experiencing fieldwork 
ACTIVITIES & METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
  • ​Field Notebook
  • Design, implement, and evaluate an Learning Session on Living Histories by Chip Colwell 
  • Field work at an archaeological site
  • Collaborative data management software tools
  • Classroom presentation and printed outdoor resources on outdoor comfort
  • Key concepts quiz
  • Effort and engagement
Week 3:  REPORTING THE RESULTS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD WORK AND UNDERSTANDING COLLABORATION
Documentation is the primary way sites are protected and the past is interpreted. Collaboration with communities affected by archaeological work is the path forward for archaeology. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing Week 3, you should be able to: 
  • Map and record an archaeological site using a GPS device and GIS software
  • Import GPS data into ArcMap and produce an archaeological site map to USFS specifications 
  • Take effective field notes in a field notebook
  • Describe some key archaeological methods (survey, sampling) and correctly use many of these terms in archaeological discussions
  • Understand the process of archaeological knowledge creation as expressed in an archaeological conference
ACTIVITIES & METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
Week 4:  REPORTING RESULTS
Reporting the results of archaeological research to both public and professional audiences is essential.  You will learn one part of this process, the completion of a written report documenting the results of archaeological survey. We also consider the question:  who "owns" the past?" and struggle with the dilemmas these questions pose.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this section, you should be able to: 
  • Describe the work of archaeologists including the goals, methods, opportunities, and challenges (both scientific and ethical) of archaeology as a method of understanding the past. 
  • Describe the role of reporting research results to the public
  • Write a final field work report
  • Describe how the key archaeological methods and concepts are used by archaeologists
  • Explain how the scientific method is applied in archaeological research with an emphasis on the role of research questions and research designs
  • Describe what archaeology is and how it is practiced 
  • Describe archaeology's relevance in the world today
  • Act ethically when you encounter archaeological sites in the future
ACTIVITIES & METHODS OF ASSESSMENT