ANTH 2 - Introduction to Archaeology
Instructor: Karen Oeh
Email Instructor
Course Description
Prehistoric development of human culture through studies of stone tools and other remains of the earliest human lifeways up to the growth of technologically advanced civilizations. Review of important archaeological case studies.
To take this class, you must have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection, an email account, and experience using a web browser. You will also need to update your email address in CLASS-Web when you register.
Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.
This class begins Aug 20 and ends Dec 23.
On-Campus Meetings
There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus orientation to Online Learning on either Aug. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2420, Aug. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Room 2420, and Aug. 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2420. Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.
How This Class Operates
This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class. Some assignments will be done on your own, others will be done in groups. Active participation is required.
Communications will take place primarily via email, the class discussion board and chatrooms.
This class is divided into Modules, and each Module contains various activities. All the modules will be accessible from the Course Materials area, but students will only be able to access currently active and open Modules. All Modules are open at 12:05 a.m. on a Monday and close at 11:55 p.m. on a Sunday.
Module 1 is designed to help you become familiar with the technological aspects of taking an online course. You have 1 week (7 days) to complete Module 1 (worth 50 points). Modules 2-9 cover course content from the required textbooks and CD-ROM, composed of exercises, activities, and quizzes. You will have 14 days to complete work in each module. Module 10 covers the final exam, a research project worth 200 points.
Class Activities
Modules 2-9 have content activities to supplement your readings. Module Activities cover the following formats; class discussions, a group project, virtual fieldtrips, and simulated activities. Each module has a link to its Module Activity and Quiz. Students earn a maximum of 30 points per Module Activity and 20 points per Module Quiz.
Class Project(s)
A group report will give you a way to learn about key events in prehistory through team work and effective communication. You are expected to work in groups of five students to conduct academic and web research about the chosen topic. Findings will be reported and reviewed in the class discussion board.
An individual class research project will used as the final exam. The individual project is meant to give you a creative way to display your knowledge about an archaeological investigation. The project can be completed as a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation (with charts, graphs, photos), a 15-page double-spaced research paper (with charts, graphs, photos), or an online exhibit using web pages. The project is worth 200 points.
How Students are Graded
All of your assignments will be graded according to criteria established in the course. In addition, each Module will contain a quiz that is open-book. Module 1 has its own quiz about the course syllabus worth 25 points. Unlike all other Modules, students have multiple attempts to take Module 1’s quiz while the Module is open.
Modules 2-9 each have an assignment worth a maximum of 30 points. Modules 2-9 each have a quiz that covers the content from the textbooks and CD-ROM Archaeological Field Exercises worth 20 points each. The Midterm is worth 200 points. The Final Exam is an individual reseach project worth 200 points.
Succeeding in an Online Course
Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, can't use a computer too well, have taken less than 21 units of college credit in your lifetime, and/or have a grade-point-average under 2.0, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.
Also, don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.
LPC offers a tutorial called "Succeeding in an online course" that will not only tell you if you are a good fit for online learning, but it also offers many strategies -- among other pertinent information -- that will help you succeed online. Please complete the tutorial.
Blackboard
This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Login Procedures page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.