{"id":15820,"date":"2020-12-08T12:22:01","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T17:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/archaeology\/?page_id=15820"},"modified":"2026-05-06T09:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:10:17","slug":"courses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/archaeology\/academics\/courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"

We divide archaeology courses into three categories: topical courses that deal with general subjects such as archaeological theory, the rise of civilizations, and ancient technology; area courses that are devoted to specific cultures and regions such as Greece, Egypt, and Mexico; and technical courses that provide training in specific archaeological methods such as scientific analytical methods and Geographic Information Systems. Most of our courses include BU Hub<\/a> units to satisfy BU’s general education program. F<\/span>or additional information browse our Hub Courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 Courses<\/h3>
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These courses are subject to change. The information on the Student Link is the most update information. Any questions regarding the courses please contact us.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAS AR 100 Archaeology Today
\nTR 2:00PM – 3:15PM
\nProfessor Joshua Robinson<\/b><\/p>\n

Introduction to how archaeologists use material culture to study inequality, diet, gender, religion, identity, and sustainability in global case studies from the origins of humans to the present. Looting, heritage, and repatriation are addressed with the perspectives of descendent communities.<\/p>\n

Course provides<\/em> Hub<\/a> Historical Consciousness, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate area requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR150 Archaeology of Cities
\nMWF 11:15-12:05
\nProfessor David Carballo <\/strong><\/p>\n

An introduction to the archaeology of cities and urbanism. The course includes introductory urban theory, exposure to ancient and early modern cities from geo-temporal contexts that Archaeology Program faculty specialize in, and comparison of cities and urbanism organized along central themes. Team assignments use the BU campus and city of Boston for experiential learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Course provides\u00a0Hub<\/a> units in: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Teamwork\/Collaboration
\n<\/em>Course fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a>
\nCourse fulfills Urban Studies Undergraduate requirement<\/p>\n

CAS AR190 Introduction to Archaeology
\nTR 9:30 am – 10:45 am
\nProfessor Maria Torras Freixa
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Foundational training in how\u00a0archaeologists\u00a0study past peoples and cultures via field, museum, and laboratory methods. Apply theoretical frameworks to archaeological themes and datasets. Relate archaeological outcomes to the present day through real-world examples from around the globe.<\/p>\n

* You must also register for a discussion section. Times and days are found on the Student Portal.
\nCourse provides\u00a0Hub<\/a> units in: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Research and Information Literacy
\nCourse required for major and minor in Archaeology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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CAS AR202 Archaeological Mysteries: Pseudoscience and Fallacy in the Human Past
\nTR 9:30-10:45
\nProfessor Curtis Runnels<\/strong>
\nInvestigation through case studies of pseudoscientific claims about the past. Purported solutions to archaeological mysteries are subjected to the test of evidence using the scientific method. Topics include Atlantis, ancient extraterrestrials, Pyramids, Stonehenge, crop marks, and Noah\u2019s Ark.<\/p>\n

Course provides Hub<\/a> Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking<\/em>
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR240 The Archaeology of Ancient China
\nMWF 9:05-9:55
\nProfessor Robert Murrowchick<\/strong>
\nExamines the archaeology of ancient China from the Neolithic through early imperial periods (7000 BCE to 3rd C. CE); the interaction of technology, art, and literature with ancient political, religious, and social power; and cultural heritage issues in facing modern China.<\/p>\n

Course provides Hub<\/a> Aesthetic Exploration, Social Inquiry I
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate area requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR250 The Aztecs, Maya, and Their Predecessors: Archaeology of Mesoamerica
\nMWF 1:25-2:15
\nProfessor David Carballo<\/strong>
\nOverview of the Aztecs, Mayas, and other native peoples of Mexico and Central America, including the chronological development of cultures and key topics. Focus on variability in individuals and groups by age, gender, ethnicity, class, and polities pre- and post-conquest.<\/p>\n

Course provides Hub<\/a> The Individual In Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate area requirement<\/a><\/p>\n

CAS AR280 Eating and Drinking in the Ancient World
\nTR 12:30-1:45
\nProfessor Joshua Robinson<\/strong>
\nSurvey of the archaeological evidence of the diets of human societies, from earliest humans to the present. Emphasis on the remains of plants, animals, and humans and what they tell us about ancient food and drink within their social contexts.<\/p>\n

Course provides HUB<\/a> Social Inquiry I, Writing-Intensive Course, and Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a>
\n*Prerequisite: WR100 or 120 or equivalent.<\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR290 Archaeology of Environmental Change<\/strong>
\nTR 11:00-12:15<\/strong>
\nProfessor Joshua Robinson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Examination of human impacts on the global landscape over the past 10,000 years through migration, hunting, disease, agriculture, and other cultural activities; implications for contemporary and future resources management and environmental policy.<\/p>\n

Course provides Hub Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/p>\n

CAS AR301 African Diaspora OF Archaeology
\nTR 2:00-3:15
\nProfessor Andreana Cunningham<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction to the archaeology of the African diaspora, the global displacement of African people and their descendants. Reviews findings, methodology, and theory around key burial contexts. Emphasis on shifting dialogues, such as human remains stewardship, community engagement, and reburial.<\/p>\n

Course provides<\/em> Hub<\/a> Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR305 Paleolithic Archaeology
\nTR 12:30-1:45
\nProfessor Curtis Runnels<\/strong>
\nIntroduction to the emergence of culture and the reconstruction of early lifeways from archaeological evidence. Topics include early humans in Africa, Asia, and Europe; Neanderthals; the first Americans; and the prelude to agriculture.<\/p>\n

Course provides Hub<\/a> Historical Consciousness, Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR331 Arts of Archaic Greece
\nMWF 10:10-11:00
\nProfessor Becky Martin
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Examines a critical formative stage in Greek art. Analyzes the rise of identifiable artists, the relationship of art to epic, the evolution of the architectural orders, and the formation of Greek style in monumental stone sculpture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Course provides HUB<\/a> Writing-Intensive Course, Aesthetic Exploration<\/span>, Historical Consciousness
\n<\/span>Course fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate Area requirement<\/a>
\n<\/em>*Prerequisites: WR 100 or WR 120<\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR357 BIOARCHAEOLOGY
\nTR 3:30-4:45
\nProfessor Andreana Cunningham <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction to the study of human remains in bioarchaeological contexts. Course reviews key theoretical frameworks and methodologies in interpreting valuable information about demography, gender differences, social identities and the daily lives of past peoples, as well as ongoing ethical concerns in bioarchaeological practice.<\/p>\n

Course provides<\/em> Hub<\/a> Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR395 Politics of the Past: Archaeology, Museums, and Identity
\nM 2:30-5:15
\nProfessor Robert Murowchick<\/b><\/p>\n

Historical exploration of the interplay among political\/nationalistic pressures and the design, implementation, and interpretation of archaeological research and its public presentation through publications, museum exhibitions, and international expositions.<\/p>\n

Course fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a>
\nCourse provides Hub<\/a> Digital\/Multimedia Expressions, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, and Ethical Reasoning
\nCross listed with GRS AR795<\/em>
\nCourse fulfills Asian Studies requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR508 Ethnoarchaeology Landscape
\nProfessor Wade Campbell
\nFriday 8:00am – 10:45am
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A seminar-style introduction to \u201clandscape archaeology,\u201d a theoretical and methodological approach that explores how past and present communities create (and are in turn affected by) \u201ccultural landscapes\u201d formed through the interplay of sociocultural values and the natural environment.*Prerequisite: WR100 or 120 or equivalent.<\/em><\/p>\n

Course provides\u00a0Hub<\/a> units in: Social Inquiry I, Writing-Intensive Course, and Critical Thinking<\/p>\n

CAS AR518 Zooarchaeology
\nFriday 11:15-2:00
\nProfessor Catherine West<\/strong>
\nIntroduction to the study of archaeological animal bones. Provides theoretical background and methodological skills necessary for interpreting past human-animal interactions, subsistence, and paleoecology. Laboratory sections focus on skeletal identification.\u00a0 Lecture and Lab.
\n* Prerequisite: CAS AR190 (former CAS AR101) or consent of instructor.Course provides Hub<\/a> Social Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning I<\/em>
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate technical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

CAS AR533 Greek Art and Architecture
\nFriday 11:15-2:00
\nProfessor Becky Martin<\/strong>
\nPainting was the most esteemed genre of ancient Greek art, famed for its beauty and ability to fool the eye. We study panel and wall painters, colorists who collaborated with sculptors and architects, and craftsmen who decorated pottery.Course provides Hub<\/a> Writing-Intensive Course, Oral and\/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.
\nCourse fulfills Archaeology Undergraduate topical requirement<\/a><\/em><\/span>
\n* Meets with CAS AH533
\n**Prerequisite: WR100 or 120 or equivalent.<\/p>\n

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CAS AR595 Professional Futures in Archaeology<\/strong>
\nR 12:30-3:15<\/strong>
\nProfessor Andrea Berlin<\/strong><\/p>\n

A degree in archaeology can get you in the door at museums, the National Park Service, US Customs and other federal agencies, research laboratories, international NGO\u2019s, organizations focused on international art law, historical site management, heritage tourism \u2013 and more. For such careers, you need skills that allow you to build on your understanding of archaeological <\/span>remains<\/span> and techniques, communicate to a wider public, and create pathways that link subjects and remains of the past to interests and needs in the present<\/span><\/span>.
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Course provides Hub<\/a><\/em> Ethical Reasoning, <\/span>Oral and\/or Signed Communication,\u00a0<\/span>Teamwork\/Collaboration
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GRS AR704 Materials in Ancient Society<\/strong>
\nSeminar. Topic to be announced. Offered through the Center for Materials Research in Archaeology and Ethnology.
\n* MIT Materials in Ancient Societies: course #3.989.<\/p>\n

GRS AR795 Politics, Nationalism, and Archaeology
\nM 2:30-5:15
\nProfessor Robert Murowchick<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.
\nCourse fulfills Asian Studies Graduate Certificate
\n<\/em>*Meets with CAS AR 395
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Summer 2026 Courses<\/h3>
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These courses are subject to change. The information on MyStudent is the most up to date information.
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Link to the Summer Term Website.<\/a>Eating and Drinking in the Ancient World<\/p>\n