This course provides an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of modern archaeology. Through this course, students will be introduced to the history, theories, methods, and broader social contexts of material culture students in the investigation of the human past. The course serves two functions. First, it provides a survey of important archaeological discoveries from around the world, placing the finds in both archaeological as well as contemporary social contexts. Second, the course demonstrates the theoretical and methodological developments of the discipline over the past century by introducing the different kinds of information that archaeologists use to interpret the past.
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This course examines the broad humanistic foundations of global archaeology through an in-depth study of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of archaeological research. The course studies how material culture is archaeologically theorized, located, investigated, and evaluated to gain insight into past human activities and social practices, with an emphasis on the diversity and interdisciplinarity of archaeological methods.
This four- to six-week summer archaeology field school provides intensive, on-site training in the archaeological methods and techniques in conjunction with the Ness of Brodgar archaeology project, a joint project led by the Orkney Research Center for Archaeology, Orkney College, and Willamette University. The Ness of Brodgar sites is a Neolithic ceremonial complex situated on a thin promontory between two lakes and the megalithic stone circles of the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness. The excavation emphasizes a holistic approach to archaeological inquiry. As such, in addition to daily instruction on excavation theory, technique and recovery, course lectures and fieldwork will emphasize a variety of topics including topographical and geophysical survey techniques, stratigraphy, ceramic typology, geomorphology, paleobotany, and the archaeology of the Orkney Islands. Visits to regional archaeological sites and museums will provide a broad cultural and historical background of the archaeology of the region.
This course provides an opportunity to conduct a major research project which cannot be satisfied through any existing course in the majors curriculum. The project must be supervised by a Willamette faculty member. Proposed projects must be submitted to the Archaeology Program Coordinator and must be approved by the Archaeology Programs core faculty.
This course is designed to promote student involvement in the community and to create opportunities for students to conduct archaeological investigations. The faculty-supervised internships will provide students with opportunities to interpret archaeological data within a professional context. Interns will be placed in organizations utilizing archaeological skills in academic or non-academic settings including government agencies, cultural resource management firms, non-profit organizations, tribal governments and museums. Interns are expected to work 12 hours a week, meet regularly with the instructor and write a final research paper that concerns some aspect of the material culture that was processed during the internship.
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This four- to six-week course offers advanced training in archaeological field techniques, theory and recording. Students may participate in either the Ness of Brodgar field project or another archaeological excavation. Students will work closely with senior excavation staff to coordinate, manage, and conduct an independent research project. Students will be required to keep a journal of their experience and write a substantial research paper relating their project to an important and relevant archaeological question. The Ness of Brodgar field project is run with the cooperation of Orkney College, University of the Highlands and Islands. Students must consult with their advisor before enrolling in the Advanced Archaeology Field School.
This capstone course is dedicated to the process of research and writing of the senior thesis for Archaeology majors. It consists of weekly meetings in which students discuss readings about current topics in archaeology as well as interpretive issues directly related to their specific thesis projects. The course includes in-class workshops related to library research, writing, citation, illustration, and, if needed, specific methods such as photography, technical drawing, or pXRF analysis. Students are required to meet specific deadlines for partial drafts of their thesis, which will be read and critiqued by the thesis advisor(s). At the end of the course, the students are also required to make a formal presentation of the most significant aspects of their research.
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