image17.gif (31535 bytes)

  

APCC140 INTRODUCTION TO PREHISTORY

 

Spring 2007
 

niaux1.jpg (45208 bytes)

Paleolithic cave paintings -- bison heads from the Grotte de Niaux, France. One of the characteristics of modern humans is the development of a diverse set of methods using a variety of media to store and transmit information.

hm95nor.jpg (34378 bytes)

In addition to the types of intentionally produced information sources such as art, text, and language, humans also unintentionally  create another type of information, the archaeological record. In this section of the class, we discuss how to learn to document and interpret these archaeological data.

castle.jpg (36119 bytes)

The last portion of the class examines one model that attempts to integrate the diverse sets of information into a comprehensive picture of human cultural diversity. 

All reading assignments are to be completed by the Thursday of the week they are listed. For example, by Thursday, January 18 you should have completed all of the Week 1 readings.  On Jan 25, you should have completed all readings for Weeks 1 and 2(and be prepared for a quiz).  Also please note that as the semester progresses, some weekly reading assignments may be changed (depending on class interests, areas of confusion, or exciting new discoveries)-- so be sure to check this page weekly to be sure you are reading the most up-to-date assignment.

QUESTION 1: Why are we everywhere?

WEEK 1       

Jan. 16-18.  Introduction to the Class:  What are Prehistory, Archaeology, and Culture? 

1.  Read the Class Overview  and General Terms WebPages. 
2. Visit and bookmark text homepage: www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/web/humanpast
3. Read Scarre pp 24-44
4.   Exercise 1 due on Thursday, Jan 18.

WEEK 2      

Jan 23-25.  African Beginnings   Quiz 1 

1.  Read  Scarre pp 46-83

WEEK 3     

Jan 30-Feb 1 Global Expansion   

1. Read Scarre pp 84-123

Jan 30 EXAM 1

                     WEEK 4     

Feb 6-8. Global Domination Quiz 2. Exercise 2.  Due on Feb. 8

1. Read Scarre pp. 124-173

WEEK 5      

Feb 13-15.  There is no reading assignment this week

No Class Feb 15 -- AAAS Meetings

QUESTION 2:  How have we changed our relations with the Earth?

WEEK 6    

Feb 20-22:: Food Production SW Asia    .

1. Read Scarre pp. 175-233

Feb 20 EXAM 2

WEEK 7

Feb 27-March 1: East Asian Agriculture Quiz 3

1. Read Scarre pp 234-263

WEEK 8

March 6-8:  Australia and Austronesians Quiz 4

             1. Read Scarre pp. 264-305

             MARCH 11-18 SPRING BREAK -- NO CLASS

WEEK 9

March 20-22:  American Agriculture Quiz 5.   Exercise 3, due March 22.

1. Read: Scarre 306-349

WEEK 10

March 27-29.   Holocene Africa

1. Read  Scarre 350-391

March 27 EXAM 3

WEEK 11

April 3-7.   Holocene Europe Quiz 6

1. Read  Scarre 392-431

QUESTION 3: How have we redefined our social relationships?

WEEK 12
 

April 10-12. Complex Societies. Quiz 7

1. Read Scarre pp 432-471
 

WEEK 13

April 17-19.. Mesoamerica 

1. Read Scarre 594-639

April 17 EXAM 4

WEEK 14

April 24-26 . South Americay Quiz 8.Exercise 4 (due April 26)

1. Read Scarre pp. 640-677

WEEK 15

May 1-3 North America and beyond Quiz 9.

1. Read Scarre 678-720

FINAL EXAM
Thursday May 10 3:40PM-5:40PM