Archaeology Courses
ARCH 100 - Ancient Peoples and Places (3)
A broad survey of human cultural development from the late Palaeolithic/PalaeoIndian periods (ca 40,000 BP) to the rise of civilization and empires, in both the Old and New Worlds. Breadth-Social Sciences.
ARCH 131 - Human Origins (3)
A non-technical survey of the primate background of humans, fossil primates, and fossil humans, and the associated evidence of cultural development. An introduction to physical anthropology. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
ARCH 200 - Special Topics in World Prehistory (3)
Non-specialized introductory summaries of selected regional topics in world prehistory. Breadth-Social Sciences.
ARCH 201 - Introduction to Archaeology (3)
A survey of methods used by archaeologists to discover and interpret the past. Examples will be drawn from selected sites and cultures around the world. S. tudents who have taken ARCH 101 may not enrol in ARCH 201. Breadth-Social Sciences.
ARCH 226 - The Prehistory of Religion: Shamans, Sorcerers and Saints (3)
Charts the emergence and changes in the expression of human religious behavior. It covers the earliest rituals of the Palaeolithic, the importance of fertility cults, ancestor cults, alliance rituals, shamans, witchcraft, and monotheism. Prerequisite: Any lower division archaeology or anthropology course. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
ARCH 252 - Ancient Egypt and Africa (3)
Exploration of the major cultural developments in Africa from the origin of humankind to the rise of several ancient civilizations, with special emphasis on ancient Egypt. Students are exposed to various approaches taken by palaeoanthropologists, prehistoric archaeologists, historians and Egyptologists. Students with credit for ARCH 200 under this title may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
ARCH 272W - Archaeology of the Old World (3)
A survey of the major centres of Old World cultural development from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. Basic concepts used in reconstructing prehistoric cultures, and the artifactual and contextual evidence for the development of culture. Prerequisite: ARCH 100 or 201. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
ARCH 273 - Archaeology of the New World (3)
A survey of prehistoric cultures of North and South America. The peopling of the New World, the rise of the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico and Peru, and the cultural adaptations by prehistoric populations to other parts of the New World. Prerequisite: ARCH 100 or 201. Breadth-Social Sciences.
ARCH 285 - Archaeological Science (3)
Introduces scientific techniques used for archaeological investigations. Prerequisite: One of ARCH 100, ARCH 201, BISC 101, CHEM 111, CHEM 121, EVSC 100, GEOG 111, PHYS 101 or PHYS 120. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
ARCH 286 - Cultural Heritage Stewardship in Global Context (3)
Examines cultural heritage stewardship as applied and practiced throughout the world including review of national laws and international conventions that govern the managment of heritage resources. Explores stewardship as a fundamental professional ethic in archaeology and other heritage fields engaged in study, application, and management of sociocultural resources. Prerequisite: 30 units including one of ARCH 100, ARCH 201, GEOG 100 or REM 100.
ARCH 301 - Ancient Visual Art (3)
A selection of major art traditions from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Mesoamerica and South America is explored. Issues of intellectual property rights, copyright and the use of ancient art in contemporary contexts are also addressed. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours. Breadth-Humanities.
ARCH 321 - Select Regions in World Archaeology I (3)
An overview of culture history and methodological/theoretical issues for a specific region of the world. Prerequisite: ARCH 272, 272W or 273.
ARCH 322 - Special Topics in Biological Anthropology (3)
Select topics relating to biological anthropology. Prerequisite: ARCH 131.
ARCH 329 - Special Topics in Environmental Archaeology (3)
Select topics relating to environmental archaeology. Prerequisite: ARCH 201.
ARCH 331 - Select Regions in World Archaeology II (3)
An overview of culture history and methodological/theoretical issues for a specific region of the world. Prerequisite: ARCH 272W or 273.
ARCH 332 - Special Topics in Archaeology I (3)
This course will be offered from time to time to meet special needs of students and to make use of specializations of visiting faculty members. Prerequisite: To be announced.
ARCH 333 - Special Topics in Archaeology II (3)
This course will be offered from time to time to meet special needs of students and to make use of specializations of visiting faculty members. Prerequisite: To be announced.
ARCH 340 - Zooarchaeology (5)
An introduction to the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. Coverage of the major concepts and methods used in the study of animal remains and detailed practical coverage of the vertebrate skeleton. Prerequisite: ARCH 201.
ARCH 344 - Primate Behaviour (3)
The evolution of the primate order and the ecology and behavior characterizing the different grades of primates: prosimians, monkeys, and apes. Current trends in interpreting primate behavior are emphasized. Prerequisite: ARCH 131 or any lower division biology course. Students with credit for ARCH 333 Special Topics in Archaeology II: Primate Behaviour may not take this course for further credit.
ARCH 348 - Archaeological Conservation (5)
An introduction to archaeological conservation, the processes affecting the condition of archaeological materials prior to excavation, during excavation, during analysis, exhibition and during reposition. Successful completion of this course will give archaeologists a good understanding of the various materials they encounter during excavation and how to preserve these artifacts and other materials. It will not qualify students to be professional archaeological conservators. Prerequisite: Six units in Archaeology, including ARCH 201.
ARCH 349 - Management of Archaeological Collections (5)
The philosophy, policies and practices of the care of archaeological collections. This lecture and laboratory course treats the practical problems of designing museum programs within a framework of legal responsibilities for collections. Contemporary issues such as repatriation will be discussed. Prerequisite: ARCH 201 and 45 credit hours. Students with credit for ARCH 332 Special Topics in Archaeology I: Mgt. of Archaeological Collections and ARCH 333 Special Topics in Archaeology II: Mgt. of Archaeological Collections may not take this course for further credit.
ARCH 350 - Practicum I (3)
First term of work experience in the Archaeology Co-operative Education Program. Units for this course do not count towards the units required for an 間眅埶AV degree. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Environment Co-operative Education Program.
ARCH 351 - Practicum II (3)
Second term of work experience in the Archaeology Co-operative Education Program. Units for this course do not count towards the units required for an 間眅埶AV degree. Prerequisite: ARCH 350 and readmission to the Environment Co-operative Education Program.
ARCH 363 - Landscape Archaeology (3)
The interpretation of archaeological evidence to look at the ways that people in the past perceived, constructed, and used their natural surroundings and their built environments. Prerequisite: ARCH 100 or ARCH 201, and 45 credit hours.
ARCH 365 - Archaeological Perspectives on Human Ecology (3)
Examines methods, theories, and concepts for understanding how past cultures interacted with their bio-physical surroundings. Integrates diverse kinds of data and knowledge to understand these relationships. Topics to be addressed include local and traditional ecological knowledge, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, human-environment interaction, human-induced environmental changes, paleodiet, and domestication. Prerequisite: ARCH 201; or any two of ARCH 100, REM 100, GEOG 100, EVSC 100; and 45 credits.
ARCH 372 - Material Culture Analysis (5)
Analysis and interpretation of archaeological material culture. This lecture and laboratory course combines the practical problems of recognition and interpretation of archaeological specimens, typology, seriation, and statistical procedures with the basic principles of archaeological theory. Prerequisite: ARCH 201.
ARCH 373 - Human Osteology (5)
A detailed study of the human skeleton with emphasis on lab and field techniques. Prerequisite: ARCH 131.
ARCH 375 - From Soup to Nuts: The Archaeology of Food (3)
Examines the origin, development, and cultural significance of the foods we eat. We will delve into the role of food in human evolution and the development of food ways through time. Students are exposed to various approaches taken by archaeologists, anthropologists, palaeoanthropologists, and historians in the study of food and food ways. Prerequisite: ARCH 201 or 45 units.
ARCH 376 - Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (5)
Theory, method, and operation of the application of statistical techniques to the description, classification, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological data. Prerequisite: ARCH 201, and any of STAT 101, STAT 201, STAT 203 or PSYC 210. Quantitative.
ARCH 377 - Historical Archaeology (5)
An introduction to theory and method in North American historical archaeology. Laboratory instruction is provided in historic artifact analysis and interpretation. Prerequisite: ARCH 201 and one lower division ARCH course.
ARCH 378 - Pacific Northwest North America (3)
The prehistory and cultural traditions of the region. The content, antecedents, relationships, and changes in these cultures through time. Technological, socio-economic, and environmental factors in culture growth. Prerequisite: ARCH 273.
ARCH 383 - Molecular Bioarchaeology (3)
Introduces molecular biology techniques used to analyze DNA to address archaeological questions and applications to degraded DNA samples for forensic identification of human remains and conservation of endangered species. Prerequisite: ARCH 131 or 201.
ARCH 385 - Paleoanthropology (5)
The relationship between culture and biology in prehistoric human evolution. The recognition and critical evaluation of the significance of the similarities and differences among fossil human types. Prerequisite: ARCH 131 and 272/272W.
ARCH 386 - Archaeological Resource Management (3)
Surveys the origins, implementations, and need for archaeological heritage legislation on an international and national scale. Topical issues associated with contract archaeology, public archaeology, native heritage, and avocational societies are incorporated. Prerequisite: ARCH 201.
ARCH 388 - Geoarchaeology (5)
This course introduces the concept of archaeological sites as active constituents in natural Quaternary land-forming and land-altering systems. Lectures will focus on all processes which may have contributed to the present geomorphological contexts of archaeological sites and their sedimentary and pedological contents. Prerequisite: ARCH 201 or EASC 101 or GEOG 111.
ARCH 390 - Archaeobotany (5)
An introduction to the recovery and analysis of macroscopic archaeological plant remains. The major methodological and interpretive issues in archaeobotany will be covered, with an emphasis on plant domestication in selected regions of the world. Prerequisite: REQ-ARCH 201 and either ARCH 272/272W or 273.
ARCH 428 - Soil Micromorphology (5)
Microscopic examination of natural soils and sediments, and archaeological materials, features and deposits (e.g. ceramics, bricks, hearths and ashes). The techniques are used as a means to interpret 1) the local or regional history of Quaternary landscapes that entails sedimentation and soil formation; and 2) the mechanisms of archaeological site formation. Prerequisite: ARCH 388 (previously ARCH 438) or GEOG 317 or GEOG 318. Students with credit for ARCH 367 STT: Soil Micromorphology may not take this course for further credit.
ARCH 433 - Background to Field Work (3)
A general background to field work including discussions of ethnographic and archaeological contexts for field research, project research design, field safety, field camp living, and related topics. Prerequisite: ARCH 372 and permission of the Department. Normally taken concurrently with ARCH 434 and 435.
ARCH 434 - Archaeological Field Methods (3)
A series of exercises in which the student must demonstrate the ability to apply the various recording and mapping skills covered in the course. The graded exercises are done individually and in teams, both on-campus and in the field. Prerequisite: ARCH 372 and permission of the Department. Normally taken concurrently with ARCH 433 and 435.
ARCH 435 - Field Work Practicum (6)
A practical application of the background knowledge and specific techniques of ARCH 433 and 434. It takes place in a research oriented field excavation. Evaluation of student performance is based upon assessments of efficiency and accuracy of excavation techniques/recording procedures, and upon the student's overall contribution to the smooth functioning of the team. Prerequisite: ARCH 372 and permission of the Department. Normally taken concurrently with ARCH 433 and 434.
ARCH 442 - Forensic Anthropology (5)
Current techniques in identification of recent human skeletal remains. Prerequisite: ARCH 373.
ARCH 450 - Practicum III (3)
Third term of work experience in the Archaeology Co-operative Education Program. Units for this course do not count towards the units required for an 間眅埶AV degree. Prerequisite: ARCH 351 and readmission to the Environment Co-operative Education Program.
ARCH 451 - Practicum IV (3)
Fourth term of work experience in the Archaeology Co-operative Education Program. Units for this course do not count towards the units required for an 間眅埶AV degree. Prerequisite: ARCH 450 and readmission to the Environment Co-operative Education Program.
ARCH 452 - Introduction to Paleopathology (5)
Introduces the study of ancient and historic diseases in humans and animals as expressed in bones, teeth, mummified remains, art, and historical documents. Provides an essential foundation for differential diagnosis in skeletal biology and forensic osteology. Prerequisite: ARCH 373. Students who have taken ARCH 332 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
ARCH 471W - Archaeological Theory (5)
The cultural, evolutionary, physical, and distributional principles which underlie the prediction and reconstruction of the past. Prerequisite: ARCH 131, 201, 272W and 273. Writing.
ARCH 479 - Directed Readings (3)
Directed readings for upper level students who desire to study selected topics in depth. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
ARCH 480 - Directed Laboratory/Library/Field Research (5)
A course in which students can undertake specific laboratory, library or field based research supervised by a faculty member. It is open to students from other departments. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
ARCH 485 - Lithic Technology (5)
An in-depth study of how to manufacture and analyze stone tools. Includes rock and mineral identification, stone working by students, fracture mechanics, and relevance to theoretical problems. Prerequisite: ARCH 372.
ARCH 498 - Honours Reading (5)
Directed readings in a selected field of study under the direction of a faculty member. Papers will be required. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
ARCH 499 - Honours Thesis (5)
An honours thesis of some ten to fifteen thousand words will be written under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
ARCH 871 - Archaeological Theory (5)
Critical evaluation of new approaches to the study of the human past.
ARCH 872 - Graduate Seminar in Archaeology and Prehistory
A seminar on selected problems in archaeological science and prehistory. Grading will be restricted to satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U).
ARCH 873 - Graduate Seminar in Archaeology and Prehistory (2)
A seminar on selected problems in archaeological science and prehistory. Students may take ARCH 873 for credit once in the graduate program.
ARCH 876 - Research Design (5)
Seminar focusing on the development of thesis research design and data analysis.
ARCH 892 - Directed Readings in Prehistory (5)
Directed readings under the supervision of a faculty member in the prehistory of any selected region of the world.
ARCH 893 - Directed Readings (3)
Intensive readings under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of interest related to the student's program.
ARCH 894 - Special Topics (3)
This course will be offered from time to time to meet special needs of students and make use of specialization of visiting faculty members.
ARCH 895 - Special Topics (5)
This course will be offered from time to time to meet special needs of students and to make use of specialization of visiting faculty members.
ARCH 896 - Directed Laboratory/Library/Field Research (5)
Directed laboratory, library or field research under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of interest related to the student's program.
ARCH 898 - MA Thesis (18)
ARCH 899 - PhD Thesis (6)