BA in Archaeology
Courses may be credited toward the major only if a grade of C or higher is earned.
Required Courses
Students are required to take CAS AR 101, 307, 450, and 503 (or equivalent, for which prior approval is necessary). In addition, students must select the following from courses offered by the Department of Archaeology: one technical course (CAS AR 380, 381, 382, 400, 404, 501, 505, 506, 509, 512, 515, 556, 570, or 585); one topical course (CAS AR 201, 202, 205, 206, 208, 215, 221, 262, 280, 305, 335, 375, 480, 504, 507, 508, 543, 544, 555, 570, 572, 576, 580, or 585); and three area courses (all CAS AR courses not listed above). CAS AR 503 is offered as part of field school programs of the department in the United States and abroad both during the academic year and in the summer.
Archaeology Field School Policy
Every major in archaeology must complete CAS AR 503, a course in archaeological field methods, for 4 credits. It is expected that the requirement for AR 503 will be satisfied by participation in one of Boston University’s field schools. Credits may be transferred in exceptional cases from a field school in another institution. Prior approval from the student’s advisor is required for transfers, and the field school must carry the equivalent of 4 Boston University academic credits. Transfer credits from field schools at other institutions will be approved only if the field school satisfies the requirements for AR 503, which are listed on the Department of Archaeology website. In certain exceptional circumstances, extensive or unusual fieldwork that does not carry academic credit may be used to satisfy the requirement for AR 503, but prior approval from the student’s advisor, the director of undergraduate studies, and the chairman of the Department of Archaeology is required.
Related Courses
CAS MA 115 or MA 213, CAS AN 101, and one other CAS AN course (to be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor) are required. Students are expected to fulfill the CAS language requirement with a language appropriate to their majors. In some cases, at least two semesters of an ancient language are recommended in addition to a modern foreign language.
Second Major or Minor
Students are encouraged to select a related second major or a minor in the humanities, social science, or natural science.
Research Project
Students may elect to write a substantial research paper for honors in the major (the equivalent of two regular courses). A written proposal describing the project must be submitted to the undergraduate advisor no later than the end of the junior year.
