Outline of Archaeology of the Americas - obligatory lecture 2800-AOAMER-2BA
During the course, an outline of the archaeology of North, Central and South America will be offered, focusing on the most developed cultural regions of the two continents, i.e. Mesoamerica and the Central Andes. The most important events and processes will be discussed. The major topics include: history of research; division into geo-cultural regions; populating of the Americas; domestication of plants and animals; introduction of sedentary life and pottery, architecture and other cultural achievements; art and writing; astronomy and the calendar; characteristics of the most important pre-Columbian cultures of North, Central and South America; the Conquest of the New World.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completion of the course, the student shall:
- Know about the American cultural areas, their definitions, and major epistemological problems;
- Understand the nature of modern inquiries into the archaeological material and their effect in American Archaeology;
- Be able to differentiate between various cultures from both the North and South America, and to recount major events and points of discussion in regard to their past.
Assessment criteria
- Winter semester -
The student should prepare one question regarding an event, a problem, or a process related to the topics tackled during the semester. The question should be original, concerning an issue not previously answered/resolved during the classes, and not readily answered or explained in the literature. The quality, originality, and inquisitiveness of the question will be evaluated and graded during the Questions-and-Answers session organized in the final meeting of the semester.
- Summer semester -
A short-written form (3600 signs, ca. 2 standard pages) and a public presentation on one of the topics presented during the course. The final grade will depend on the correct and thorough selection of arguments and proper usage of the scientific apparatus (citations, bibliography, etc).
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: