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2013 Courses

Anthropology

ANTH 2500: Modern Korea - A Decade a Day [3]

Caren Freeman, Lecturer

From the turbulent turn of the 20th century to the beginning of the new millennium, Koreans have lived through colonialism, national division, civil war, rapid urbanization, military rule, democratic reform, and integration into the global capitalist economy. We will explore what it means to have lived through these tumultuous changes and what the consequences have been for the diverse ways Koreans think about their ethnic/national identity. Starting on the eve of Japan's colonization of Korea and marching through the twentieth century a decade (more or less) a day, we will consider a wide range of social structures and historical contexts which have framed the lives of Koreans and shaped their vision of an ethnically homogeneous nation. Ultimately we arrive at the doorstep of the new millennium, examining the uneasy co-existence of long-held ethnnonationalist sentiments with the unprecedented influx of brides and workers from overseas.

ANTH 2890: Unearthing the Past [3]

Rachel Most, Associate Professor

This course fills the historical studies requirement.

This course will introduce students to the field of archaeology — the study of past cultures through their material remains. Students will learn that archaeology is a complex multi-disciplinary field that is part humanities, part social science and part science. They will learn how archaeologists use material culture to reconstruct past lifeways. The goal of the class is to provide students with an understanding of how archaeologists reconstruct the rise and fall of ancient civilizations as well as the everyday lives of the people who lived in these societies. The methods of the science of archaeology will be reviewed to demystify the process of reconstructing the past. The course will also provide an appreciation for some of the major developments in prehistory such as the origins of modern humans, the rise of the first villages and cities and the emergence of ancient civilizations in North America.

To this end, we will begin with an introduction to the history and methodology of archaeology discussing the various methods archaeologists use to piece together the past. Topics will include artifact analysis (what is an artifact and how are they recognized in the field), classification (how materials are grouped together in meaningful ways), dating methods, and how sites are found and recorded (through both archaeological survey and excavation).

Following these discussions of the method and theory behind the discipline we will move to a discussion of the first human ancestors, the first tools and the origins of culture, and the emergence of Homo sapiens-the first humans. From there, discussions will focus on the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and sedentism. We'll look at the emergence of complex societies in various parts of the world and conclude with a brief overview of North American archaeology and the topics that result in the most debate:

  • When and how did humans enter the New World?
  • Who were the mound builders and pueblo dwellers of North America?
  • What happened to the great early cultures of North America?

Daily work over the ten class days will include a combination of readings, pop quizzes, class presentations and the submission of questions on assigned readings. The last class day will be devoted to individual presentations.

There are no prerequisites for this course. It is both an excellent introduction to the field of archaeology, and/or to ANTH 280 (Introduction to Archaeology). This course will also provide the background students need to participate in an archaeological field school either at U.Va. or elsewhere.

Additional nonrefundable $35 fee required.