Course Descriptions

This course introduces students to the basic principles of archaeology and biological anthropology by examining human evolutionary and cultural development. The course follows the journey of humanity from our earliest bipedal ancestors, through the emergence of anatomically modern humans, to the eventual advent of agriculture and development of complex urban states.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with previous credit for ANTH 110 or 112 may not take this course for credit.

A study of the development of complex cultures in the eastern Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions from the hunting and gathering societies of the Upper Palaeolithic period to the establishment of complex urban cultures during the Early Bronze Age, with an emphasis on the geographical areas of ancient Syria and Israel.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): One of ARCH 244.3, ARCH 250.3 or ARCH 251.3.

This course is designed as an introduction to the archaeology of the Northwest Coast and Plateau culture areas of North America, which stretches from coastal Alaska to northern California. This will include the pivotal role this region played in the peopling of the New World and the rise of social complexity in hunter-fisher-gatherer societies. It will question the concept of complexity, and how the term has shaped research in the region. It covers from Time Immemorial and the First Peopling into the Colonial Period. It contextualizes the role archaeologists have in re-interpreting the past and how Reconciliation affects our work.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 250.3 or ARCH 251.3
Note: Students with credit for ARCH 398.3 Archaeology of the North West Coast and Plateau may not take this course for credit.

Six weeks of field experience in archaeological research techniques including site survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis. The field location will depend on areas of departmental projects. Offered only in Spring and Summer Session.

Weekly hours: 60 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 250.3 or 251.3
Note: There will be costs in addition to tuition fees. Students with credit for ANTH 261.3 may not take this course for credit.

Seminars based on a series of readings dealing with the development of archaeological theory. Special emphasis will be given to anthropological archaeology and contemporary explanatory models.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction: Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.

Research on a selected problem in archaeology, biological anthropology, or the prehistory of a selected geographic area with a problem orientation. The subject will be examined in detail through seminar discussion, readings, and/or laboratory work. A comprehensive report or research paper will be prepared for the class.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.
Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit, provided the topic covered in each offering differs substantially. Students must consult the Department to ensure that the topics covered are different.

Provides students with an advanced understanding of boreal forest archaeology in Canada, primarily for northern Saskatchewan and Alberta. Discussion will focus on analyzing and synthesizing published and “grey” literature to thoroughly examine the methodological and theoretical issues that have hampered the development of archaeological investigation in the boreal forest.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 350, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

Provides students with an advanced understanding of paleoenvironmental research as it applies to archaeological investigation. The course will focus on, but is not limited to, the Northern Plains and Boreal Forest of Saskatchewan and neighbouring areas. The course will provide an up-to-date picture of current knowledge regarding the use and application of paleoenvironmental research to archaeology, with a particular focus on problems and progress in the creation of paleoenvironmental data at a scale and scope suitable for archaeological investigation.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of the instructor is required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program

This course is an extensive examination of ancient disease, nutrition, and activity in past populations focusing on the gross description, diagnosis, and interpretation of human skeletal and dental lesions. Part I will include background on the history of and current issues in paleopathology, osteobiographical methods, skeletal and dental biology, and paleopathological techniques and nomenclature. Part II will introduce students to common pathological conditions and/or activity indicators affecting human remains, particularly those recovered from archaeological contexts. Lectures will make use of extensive photographic collections and be supplemented with laboratory sessions and student-led discussions. Laboratory sessions will focus on natural and replica skeletal/dental materials and include written lab assignments focused on natural pathological specimens. Over the course of the term, students will also write research paper on a subject of their choice that is relevant to paleopathology.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 370.3 or ANTH 470.3 (human osteology) or equivalent; permission of instructor
Note: Students may receive credit for only one of ARCH 872.3 or ARCH/ANTH 472.3.

Guided reading and discussion courses to permit advanced students to follow intensive library research into special aspects of archaeology or biological anthropology.

Weekly hours: 3 Reading hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.

Guided reading and discussion courses to permit advanced students to follow intensive library research into special aspects of archaeology or biological anthropology.

Weekly hours: 3 Reading hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.

During residence, all graduate students will register in ARCH 990 and will present at least one paper based on their own research. Graduate students are required to attend and interested undergraduate students may be invited to attend.

Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program or permission of the Graduate Chair or designate.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.