060088 SE Prehistoric Landscapes of North America (2019S)

In this seminar, students will examine the development of human activity during North American prehistory from an archaeological landscape perspective. Using case study examples from prehistoric North America, we will examine the ways that prehistoric populations interacted with their environment, and how we see this through landscape archaeology. Students will research topics such as subsistence and settlement, regional exchange, monumental architecture, ritual or sacred landscapes, or responses to climate change, among others.

Students will learn to critically read, summarize, present, and write up a chosen major case study of one period, region, and topic, using archaeological, environmental, ethnographic, and/or historical data. During this process, students will learn the skills necessary for producing scientific presentations and research papers, including lecture presentation style, writing abstracts and outlines, and the parts of a scientific paper.

Students will be expected to:
- Select an individual topic of research from criteria provided by the instructors
- Perform independent research on the selected topic
- Produce an Outline and Reading List of their research topic by Workshop 1 (early May)
- Produce an Introductory chapter of their research topic by Workshop 1 (late May)
- Give a presentation on the selected topic
- Give and receive feedback on their research abstract and presentation from peers and instructors
- Write a final paper on the selected topic of research

Methods
Participation in lectures, discussions and workshops, critical study of literature, and independent development of research