Courses Taught as an Instructor
* Indicates a sample syllabus is available by clicking on the title
Anthro 118: Environmental Archaeology*
From our earliest ancestors that moved out of the trees to the rapid global warming of our planet, the history and future of humans is intimately tied to our relationship with the natural environment. Because of this, understanding how humans used, adapted to and altered our environment is of critical importance to anthropological and archaeological research. How did climate change or catastrophic events affect the development of human society? How have people adapted to and mitigated the risk associated with climate change? What is the future of our cultural heritage given our current environmental challenges? This course will study the dynamic history of human-environmental interactions with a specific emphasis on the scientific methods used to explore these interactions. The two main themes of this course are 1) the diverse ways in which humans have and continue to interact with our environment and 2) how ecological thinking and environmental sciences (geoarchaeology, paleo-botany, zooarchaeology) are used to enhance our knowledge about the human past and present.
SocGen 120: / Anthro 118: Genetics and Human History*
Advancements in genomic research have rapidly transformed traditional archaeological and historical investigation of the human past. Drawing from recent research, this course focuses on how genetic analysis has shed new light on old debates such as the migration of Homo sapiens out of Africa, our relationship with Neanderthals, the first population movement to North America and ethnic expansions in Europe and Africa. This course will also include discussion of the practical and theoretical issues surrounding genetic research of past humans including the challenges of using ancient and modern DNA, population genetic theory and the ethical implications of genetic research for understanding ethnicity.
ARCHY 105: The Human Past*
This course explores the archaeological record left by our ancestors from the time we split with our ape ancestors nearly seven million years ago to the complex civilizations of our more recent past. As we navigate through the archaeological record of our human existence, I expect that every student will be able to outline the course of human evolution and our (Homo sapiens) place in it, identify the major innovations in human society and their influence on the human history and finally to synthesize the challenges encountered in our past and how they are relevant to our modern world.
ARCHY 205: Principles of Archaeology*
This course provides the framework for understanding the methods, theories and practice of archeology. This includes investigating the history of archaeological research and its influence on how we think about the past. Methods of archaeological research will also be emphasized through hands-on laboratory activities that include survey and excavation methods, artifact analysis, quantitative analysis and dating methods. Finally, this course provides a brief introduction to some of the key archaeological sites throughout the world and highlights contemporary issues of preservation, archaeological ethics and the relationship between archaeology and the public.
ARCHY 600/499: Procedures, Problems and Potential of pXRF in Archaeology (Co-instructor)
Due to increasing use of portable x-ray fluorescence technology in archaeological research, this course provides the theoretical and methodological background of this important yet challenging technology. Through this course, we will examine the physics of pXRF technology but more importantly we will highlight the development of proper research protocols for the the effective use of pXRF technology with diverse archaeological materials (stone, ceramic, sediment, shell).
Courses Taught as a Teaching Assistant
ARCHY 109: Archaeology in Film
This course deals with popular portrayals of archaeology and the implication of those portrayals on the public perception of archaeological research and the interpretation of archaeological data.
ARCHY 480: Geoarchaeology
Geoarchaeology represents one of the core methodologies necessary to perform any archaeological research. This course builds from introductory geological concepts such as rock formation and deposition to more advanced concepts useful in archaeological research such as trace element characterization. All students will be required to participate in weekly laboratory activities that demonstrate the basic principles of geoarchaeology.
ARCHY 560: Dating Methods in Archaeology
This course is aimed at providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills with common dating methods in archaeology. This includes examining the physical and chemical processes that allow for both radiocarbon dating and luminescence dating. Students will be required to do an extensive amount of laboratory work associated with the luminescence (thermal and optical) dating of sediment and ceramic samples.
Courses Proposed for Future Instruction
ANTH 1xx: Archaeology and Biological Anthropology in the Popular Media*
This course is an introduction to archaeological themes through the evaluation of archaeology and biological anthropology in the popular media. Using a diverse collection of movies, television shows and short stories the course aims to highlight how anthropological concepts are portrayed within our current society and the ways in which popular media can misinterpret anthropological research. (See Sample Syllabi)
ARCHY 1xx: Famous Archaeological Sites of the World
For most students and the general public, their most direct experience with archaeology is by visiting one or more of the famous archaeological sites in the world. This course explores how these archaeological sites became so famous by examining both their archaeological and popular history. In addition, this course will explore many of the modern challenges these archaeological sites face. Challenges that will be explored include over-tourism at Angkor Wat, climate change at the Valley of the Kings and the looting of sites in Mesopotamia and West Africa.
ARCHY 2xx: Peopling of the Americas*
The Peopling of the Americas debate is the most controversial topic in North American archaeology over the last 50 years. The primary aim of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how and when people first arrived in North America. This will be accomplished by evaluating the current geological, biological, paleontological and archaeological evidence for the arrival of the first Americans. This course will also emphasize the social and political controversy of this debate that has divided archaeologists and American Indian tribes. In particular, this course will focus on the role of Kennewick Man in the Peopling of the Americas debate and the clash between the role of traditional American Indian origin beliefs and scientific evidence in interpreting the past. Fundamental discussion topics proposed in the course will include the coexistence of indigenous beliefs and science in a court of law and who has the final say in interpreting the past?
ARCHY 2xx: Archaeology at the Extremes
This course is a survey of the fascinating archaeological research that takes places at the limits of human habitation. Key regions that will be explored include the Arctic, remote Oceania, deserts and the tropics. For each region, the archaeological and ethnographic history of these regions will be explored with reference to central themes including human ecological adaptations, resilience, sustainability, migration, trade/exchange and indigenous archaeology. Furthermore, this course will emphasize concepts of environmental change and attempt to educate students on the challenges faced by our global society in the future.
ARCHY 3xx: Archaeology of China, Korea and Japan*
The archaeology of China, Korea and Japan is an archaeology unlike any other region in the world. Perhaps most unique about the archaeology of China, Korea and Japan is the incredible diversity in archaeological topics including the first migration of our ancestors out of Africa, the origins of settled life, the adoption of agriculture and the rise of complex societies and dynastic civilizations. The combination of all these topics within one region has allowed archaeologists to investigate a wide range of themes including human adaptation to diverse environments, technological innovation, trade and exchange, warfare and socio-political dynamics. Overall, this course seeks to not only provide an introduction to the archaeological history of China, Korea and Japan but also understand how the archaeological research in East Asia can help better understand our human past and modern society.
ARCHY 3xx: Archaeology of the North*
The archaeology of northern latitudes provides some of the most challenging yet rewarding archaeological research. Understanding how humans lived in this diverse region can help archaeologists address fundamental questions about human culture including the role and spread of technological innovations, adaptation to diverse ecological settings and the relationship between core and peripheral societies. Overall, this course seeks to not only provide an introduction to the archaeological history of the North Pacific, North Atlantic and the Arctic but also understand how archaeological research in these regions can help better understand our the challenges faced by our ancestors as well as our modern society.
ARCHY 4xx: Archaeological Theory*
This course is designed for you to evaluate the various ways in which archaeologist make inferences about human behavior. Throughout this course, we will be exploring a wide range of approaches with the goal of better understanding how these theoretical approaches can potentially benefit your current and future research interests. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the basic theoretical approaches previously and currently used by archaeologists to understand human behavior and knowledge of how these approaches influence contemporary archaeological thought. In addition, I will expect each student to demonstrate competency in how different theoretical approaches relate to each other as well as how broader social and political contexts have and continue to influence archaeological theory.
ARCHY 4xx: Archaeological Analysis of Material Culture*
Archaeology is a discipline focused on the analysis of material culture. This focus provides archaeologists with numerous benefits and challenges in understanding human behavior. This course will introduce you to the wide range of concepts and methods used in the analysis of archaeological material with a strong consideration for the theoretical and methodological significance of such research. By the end of the course I expect each student to 1) be familiar with the basic analysis of archaeological data and radiocarbon data including statistical analysis pertinent to understanding archaeological assemblages and dates. 2) Demonstrate competency in the processes and problems with the analysis of common archaeological material including lithics, pottery, floral/fauna remains and geologic material. 3) Identify how various methods of archaeological analysis are able to address questions of human behavior and how these methods can be applied to your own research interests.
* Indicates a sample syllabus is available by clicking on the title
Anthro 118: Environmental Archaeology*
From our earliest ancestors that moved out of the trees to the rapid global warming of our planet, the history and future of humans is intimately tied to our relationship with the natural environment. Because of this, understanding how humans used, adapted to and altered our environment is of critical importance to anthropological and archaeological research. How did climate change or catastrophic events affect the development of human society? How have people adapted to and mitigated the risk associated with climate change? What is the future of our cultural heritage given our current environmental challenges? This course will study the dynamic history of human-environmental interactions with a specific emphasis on the scientific methods used to explore these interactions. The two main themes of this course are 1) the diverse ways in which humans have and continue to interact with our environment and 2) how ecological thinking and environmental sciences (geoarchaeology, paleo-botany, zooarchaeology) are used to enhance our knowledge about the human past and present.
SocGen 120: / Anthro 118: Genetics and Human History*
Advancements in genomic research have rapidly transformed traditional archaeological and historical investigation of the human past. Drawing from recent research, this course focuses on how genetic analysis has shed new light on old debates such as the migration of Homo sapiens out of Africa, our relationship with Neanderthals, the first population movement to North America and ethnic expansions in Europe and Africa. This course will also include discussion of the practical and theoretical issues surrounding genetic research of past humans including the challenges of using ancient and modern DNA, population genetic theory and the ethical implications of genetic research for understanding ethnicity.
ARCHY 105: The Human Past*
This course explores the archaeological record left by our ancestors from the time we split with our ape ancestors nearly seven million years ago to the complex civilizations of our more recent past. As we navigate through the archaeological record of our human existence, I expect that every student will be able to outline the course of human evolution and our (Homo sapiens) place in it, identify the major innovations in human society and their influence on the human history and finally to synthesize the challenges encountered in our past and how they are relevant to our modern world.
ARCHY 205: Principles of Archaeology*
This course provides the framework for understanding the methods, theories and practice of archeology. This includes investigating the history of archaeological research and its influence on how we think about the past. Methods of archaeological research will also be emphasized through hands-on laboratory activities that include survey and excavation methods, artifact analysis, quantitative analysis and dating methods. Finally, this course provides a brief introduction to some of the key archaeological sites throughout the world and highlights contemporary issues of preservation, archaeological ethics and the relationship between archaeology and the public.
ARCHY 600/499: Procedures, Problems and Potential of pXRF in Archaeology (Co-instructor)
Due to increasing use of portable x-ray fluorescence technology in archaeological research, this course provides the theoretical and methodological background of this important yet challenging technology. Through this course, we will examine the physics of pXRF technology but more importantly we will highlight the development of proper research protocols for the the effective use of pXRF technology with diverse archaeological materials (stone, ceramic, sediment, shell).
Courses Taught as a Teaching Assistant
ARCHY 109: Archaeology in Film
This course deals with popular portrayals of archaeology and the implication of those portrayals on the public perception of archaeological research and the interpretation of archaeological data.
ARCHY 480: Geoarchaeology
Geoarchaeology represents one of the core methodologies necessary to perform any archaeological research. This course builds from introductory geological concepts such as rock formation and deposition to more advanced concepts useful in archaeological research such as trace element characterization. All students will be required to participate in weekly laboratory activities that demonstrate the basic principles of geoarchaeology.
ARCHY 560: Dating Methods in Archaeology
This course is aimed at providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills with common dating methods in archaeology. This includes examining the physical and chemical processes that allow for both radiocarbon dating and luminescence dating. Students will be required to do an extensive amount of laboratory work associated with the luminescence (thermal and optical) dating of sediment and ceramic samples.
Courses Proposed for Future Instruction
ANTH 1xx: Archaeology and Biological Anthropology in the Popular Media*
This course is an introduction to archaeological themes through the evaluation of archaeology and biological anthropology in the popular media. Using a diverse collection of movies, television shows and short stories the course aims to highlight how anthropological concepts are portrayed within our current society and the ways in which popular media can misinterpret anthropological research. (See Sample Syllabi)
ARCHY 1xx: Famous Archaeological Sites of the World
For most students and the general public, their most direct experience with archaeology is by visiting one or more of the famous archaeological sites in the world. This course explores how these archaeological sites became so famous by examining both their archaeological and popular history. In addition, this course will explore many of the modern challenges these archaeological sites face. Challenges that will be explored include over-tourism at Angkor Wat, climate change at the Valley of the Kings and the looting of sites in Mesopotamia and West Africa.
ARCHY 2xx: Peopling of the Americas*
The Peopling of the Americas debate is the most controversial topic in North American archaeology over the last 50 years. The primary aim of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how and when people first arrived in North America. This will be accomplished by evaluating the current geological, biological, paleontological and archaeological evidence for the arrival of the first Americans. This course will also emphasize the social and political controversy of this debate that has divided archaeologists and American Indian tribes. In particular, this course will focus on the role of Kennewick Man in the Peopling of the Americas debate and the clash between the role of traditional American Indian origin beliefs and scientific evidence in interpreting the past. Fundamental discussion topics proposed in the course will include the coexistence of indigenous beliefs and science in a court of law and who has the final say in interpreting the past?
ARCHY 2xx: Archaeology at the Extremes
This course is a survey of the fascinating archaeological research that takes places at the limits of human habitation. Key regions that will be explored include the Arctic, remote Oceania, deserts and the tropics. For each region, the archaeological and ethnographic history of these regions will be explored with reference to central themes including human ecological adaptations, resilience, sustainability, migration, trade/exchange and indigenous archaeology. Furthermore, this course will emphasize concepts of environmental change and attempt to educate students on the challenges faced by our global society in the future.
ARCHY 3xx: Archaeology of China, Korea and Japan*
The archaeology of China, Korea and Japan is an archaeology unlike any other region in the world. Perhaps most unique about the archaeology of China, Korea and Japan is the incredible diversity in archaeological topics including the first migration of our ancestors out of Africa, the origins of settled life, the adoption of agriculture and the rise of complex societies and dynastic civilizations. The combination of all these topics within one region has allowed archaeologists to investigate a wide range of themes including human adaptation to diverse environments, technological innovation, trade and exchange, warfare and socio-political dynamics. Overall, this course seeks to not only provide an introduction to the archaeological history of China, Korea and Japan but also understand how the archaeological research in East Asia can help better understand our human past and modern society.
ARCHY 3xx: Archaeology of the North*
The archaeology of northern latitudes provides some of the most challenging yet rewarding archaeological research. Understanding how humans lived in this diverse region can help archaeologists address fundamental questions about human culture including the role and spread of technological innovations, adaptation to diverse ecological settings and the relationship between core and peripheral societies. Overall, this course seeks to not only provide an introduction to the archaeological history of the North Pacific, North Atlantic and the Arctic but also understand how archaeological research in these regions can help better understand our the challenges faced by our ancestors as well as our modern society.
ARCHY 4xx: Archaeological Theory*
This course is designed for you to evaluate the various ways in which archaeologist make inferences about human behavior. Throughout this course, we will be exploring a wide range of approaches with the goal of better understanding how these theoretical approaches can potentially benefit your current and future research interests. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the basic theoretical approaches previously and currently used by archaeologists to understand human behavior and knowledge of how these approaches influence contemporary archaeological thought. In addition, I will expect each student to demonstrate competency in how different theoretical approaches relate to each other as well as how broader social and political contexts have and continue to influence archaeological theory.
ARCHY 4xx: Archaeological Analysis of Material Culture*
Archaeology is a discipline focused on the analysis of material culture. This focus provides archaeologists with numerous benefits and challenges in understanding human behavior. This course will introduce you to the wide range of concepts and methods used in the analysis of archaeological material with a strong consideration for the theoretical and methodological significance of such research. By the end of the course I expect each student to 1) be familiar with the basic analysis of archaeological data and radiocarbon data including statistical analysis pertinent to understanding archaeological assemblages and dates. 2) Demonstrate competency in the processes and problems with the analysis of common archaeological material including lithics, pottery, floral/fauna remains and geologic material. 3) Identify how various methods of archaeological analysis are able to address questions of human behavior and how these methods can be applied to your own research interests.
