Spring 2012 Courses

AR 100 AA Great Discoveries in Archaeology TR 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Prof. Danti
 

 

 Illustrated lectures focus on the important discoveries of the discipline of archaeology. Course covers the whole of human prehistory around the world. Archaeological methods are described, along with the great ancient sites: Olduvai, Lascaux, Stonehenge, Egyptian Pyramids, Machu Picchu. 

Course fulfills humanities distribution requirement and department area requirement.

AB Discussion section M 9:00 AM 10:00 AM
AC Discussion section M 10:00 AM 11:00 AM
AD Discussion section M 2:00 PM 3:00 PM
AE Discussion section M 4:00 PM 5:00 PM
AF Discussion section W 10:00 AM 11:00 AM
AG Discussion section W 11:00 AM 12:00 PM
AH Discussion section W 12:00 PM 1:00 PM
AI Discussion section W 3:00 PM 4:00 PM
AJ Discussion section T 9:30 AM 10:30 AM
AK Discussion section T 4:00 PM 5:00 PM
AL Discussion section R 9:30 PM 10:30 PM
AM Discussion section M 11:00 AM 12:00 PM
AR 208 A1 Lost Languages & Decipherments TR 2:00 PM 3:30 PM Prof. Danti
An overview of the archaeology of writing focusing on modern decipherments of ancient texts. Related topics include characteristics of the world’s major language families, the nature of linguistic change, and the origin and history of the alphabet. 

Course fulfills department topical requirements.

AR 210 A1 Minoan & Mycenaean Civilization TR 3:30 PM 5:00 PM Prof. Runnels
Traces the rise and fall of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations from their Stone Age roots to the end of the Bronze Age. Subjects include art, architecture, economic, social, political, and religious characteristics, and theoretical explanations of cultural change. 

Course fulfills department area requirements.

AR 215 A1 Contested Pasts TR 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Prof. Elia
Examination of the diverse and often conflicting values associated with archaeological objects, ancient monuments, and cultural sites. Case studies (including the Elgin Marbles) highlight contemporary controversies over ownership, appropriation, use, and abuse of the material remains of the past. 

Course fulfills department topical requirements.

AR 232 A1 Ancient Egypt TR 12:30 PM 2:00 PM Prof. Bard
The technology, economy, social life, political organization, religions, art, and architecture of Egypt from predynastic times through the Hellenistic period, based on archaeological and historical sources. Emphasis on the period of the Pharaohs (ca. 3200-323 BC). 

Course fulfills humanities distribution requirement.

Course fulfills department area requirements.
AR 261 A1 Asia’s Ancient Cultures & Civilizations MWF 10:00 AM 11:00 AM Prof. Mughal
Study of Asia’s ancient civilizations known as the Indus, Oxus, Khmer, and Shang. Outstanding cities; sacred Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, and Judeo-Christian/Islamic centers; elaborate caves; unique burial sites like the Taj Mahal and royal tombs; historic gardens symbolizing “Paradise on Earth”; and architectural marvels like the Great Wall. 

Course fulfills Archaeology department area requirements.

Course fulfills East Asian Studies requirements.

AR 280 A1 Food, Diet, and Ancient People TR 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Prof. Borojevic
A survey of the archaeological evidence for the food, diet, and nutrition of hunter/gatherers and the changes brought about by the development of farming. Emphasis on the remains of plants, animals, and humans and what they tell us about ancient foods. 

Course fulfills department topical requirements.
AR 307 AA Archaeological Science TR 2:00 PM 3:30 PM Prof. Borojevic
Natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology) form an integral part of modern archaeology and are applied to issues of dating, reconstructing past environments and diets, and analysis of mineral and biological remains. Laboratories concentrate on biological, geological, physical and chemical approaches.  Course fulfills department natural science requirement.
A1 Lab W 1:00 PM 4:00 PM
A2 Lab F 9:00 AM 12:00 PM
AR 330 A1 Greek Archaeology TR 12:30 PM 2:00 PM Prof. Berlin
Archaeology in Greek lands from the Iron Age to the first century BC; aims and methods of Classical archaeology; correlations with anthropology, art history, history and literature. 

Course fulfills department area requirement.

AR 343 A1 Anatolian Archaeology MWF 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Prof. Roosevelt
A historically oriented survey of the material remains of the ancient cultures of Turkey and northwest Iran from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic Period. Emphasis is on the Hittite Empire and civilizations that succeeded it in the first millennium. 

Course fulfills department area requirement.

AR 353 A1 Urbanism in Meosamerica TR 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Prof. Carballo
Comparative study of ancient Mesoamerican cities, including the Aztecs, Maya, and their predecessors, focusing on urban functions, cosmological symbolism, and development over time (ca. 1000 BC – AD 1500). 

Course fulfills department area requirement.

AR 390 A1 Archaeology of Southeast Asia TR 2:00 PM 3:30 PM Prof. Murowchick
Examines the prehistoric and historic cultures of Southeast Asia, including the first arrival of humans, regional neolithic and Bronze Age communities, early states, maritime trading networks, as well as political motivations in archaeology and the illicit Asian antiquities trade. 

Course fulfills department area requirement.

Course fulfills East Asian Studies Principal Course requirement
AR 396 A1 Cultural Heritage & Diplomacy TR 3:30 PM 5:00 PM Prof. Luke
Course considers place of heritage in archaeology and cultural diplomacy; art architecture as cultural ambassadors; culture representation in museums and cultural landscapes; international art law; cultural affairs in U.S. embassies; the State Department; strategic impact of heritage in promoting U.S. foreign policy.
AR 450 A1 Archaeology Methods F 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Prof. Carballo
Senior capstone seminar dealing with the intellectual history of the discipline, research methods, concepts, and problems in archaeological theory, and the formulation of research designs. 

Course fulfills department requirement.

AR 503 GT Guatemala Program Prof. Saturno
Archaeological field school with intensive study of archaeological techniques and procedures. Direct involvement in field excavation, assisting in data recording, and in the description and inventory of artifacts and specimens. Field, lab and/or lecture involvement; requires six to seven hours a day, five days a week. Various locations around the world. 

Course fulfills department field school requirement.

AR 506 A1 Geophysical Information Systems M 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Prof. Roosevelt
Advanced computer (GIS) techniques are used to address regional archaeological problems. This applied course examines digital encoding and manipulation of archaeological and environmental data, and methods for testing hypotheses, analyzing, and modeling the archaeological record. 

Course fulfills department technical requirements.

AR 515 A1 Micromorphology T 12:30 PM 3:30 PM Prof. Goldberg
The micromorphological examination and interpretation of soils, sediments, and archaeological and anthropogenic materials features (e.g., ceramics, bricks, hearths), with focus on the processes of landscape evolution and the mechanisms of archaeological site formation. 

Course fulfills department technical requirements.

AR 590 A1 Life is a Bowl: Ceramic Studies W 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Prof. Berlin
Before plastic, there was pottery – pots and pans, cups and dishes, crocks and jars – in every culture and in abundance. Research seminar studies pottery across time and space to elucidate personal habits as well as social, economic, and political developments.
AR 702 A1 Contemporary Theory in Archaeology M 1:00 PM 4:00 PM Prof. Beaudry
Prereq: GRS AR701.  Explore aspects of contemporary theory in archaeology, including post-modern critiques of contemporary practice, new approaches to archaeology of ritual, personhood, identity, and the body; indigenous and public archaeology; politics and archaeology.
AR 704 A1 CMRAE Meets at MIT Prof. Borojevic
Topic: Materials in Ancient Societies: The production of Metal Objects. Offered through the Center for Materials Research in Archaeology and Ethnology at MIT.
AR 706 A1 Archaeology of Complex Societies W 1:00 PM 4:00 PM Prof. Bard
Core concepts of archaeological research on the formation, cultural development, and decay of complex societies as well as their introduction into other cultures. Coverage emphasizes research design rather than simply survey.
AR 709 A1 Research Methods in Geoarchaeology R 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Prof. Goldberg
This seminar deals with a variety of topics concerned with the earth and archaeological sciences. Such themes are related to quaternary environments; methods of studying archaeological sediments and materials; scientific methods in the study of archaeological sites.
AR 743 A1 Anatolian Archaeology MWF 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Prof. Roosevelt
Discussion F 3:00 PM 4:00 PM
A historically oriented survey of the material remains of the ancient cultures of Turkey and northwest Iran from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic period. Emphasis is on the Hittite Empire and civilizations that succeeded it in the first millennium.
AR 790 A1 Archaeology of Southeast Asia TR 2:00 PM 3:30 PM Prof. Murowchick
Discussion T 4:00 PM 5:00 PM
Examines the prehistoric and historic cultures of Southeast Asia, including the first arrival of humans, regional neolithic and Bronze Age communities, early states, maritime trading networks, as well as political motivations in archaeology and the illicit Asian antiquities trade.
AR 795 A1 Politics, Nationalism, & Archaeology T 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Prof. Murowchick
Explores how archaeology is shaped by and manipulated for political purposes. Case studies from Asia and around the world trace the development of archaeology during colonial empire-building and post-colonial nationalism, and the importance of archaeological heritage in regional politics.
AR 796 A1 Cultural Heritage & Diplomacy TR 3:30 PM 5:00 PM Prof. Luke
Discussion R 2:30 PM 3:30 PM
Course considers place of heritage in archaeology and cultural diplomacy; art architecture as cultural ambassadors; culture representation in museums and cultural landscapes; international art law; cultural affairs in U.S. embassies; the State Department; strategic impact of heritage in promoting U.S. foreign policy.
AR 810 A1 International Heritage Management M 1:00 PM 4:00 PM Prof. Mughal
Investigations of issues in archaeological heritage management at the international level. Approaches, challenges, and solutions to problems in the identification, evaluation, conservation, management, and interpretation of archaeological resources. Focus on specific topics (e.g. legislation) and/or geographical regions.
AR 815 A1 Plunder and Preservation: Cultural Heritage in Wartime F 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Prof. Elia
Topics include safeguarding of cultural sites, monuments, and objects during armed conflict; history of cultural seizures as spoils of war; destruction of cultural heritage in war; development of legal protections; contemporary approaches to preservation of heritage at risk from war.