060084 SE Interdisciplinary Archaeology: Between Sciences and Humanities (2019S)

Summary
In this seminar, students will examine the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology and how archaeological practice bridges the natural sciences and humanities. Using case study examples, we will discuss currently relevant archaeological research in a range of humanistic topics wherein data is acquired via scientific methods. Students will research topics such as mobility, identity, human-environmental interactions, motherhood, childcare, exchange, and socio-political inequality, among others. Scientific methods may include genetics, physical anthropology, geology, ZooMS, and isotopes, among others.

Students will lead weekly discussions on selected topics. Students will choose a science discipline to bridge with archaeology, explain the applied methods and social/humanistic question, and discuss the implications for our understanding of the past in a written research paper and oral presentation. 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:
- Participate in in-class activities and discussions
- Select an individual topic of research from criteria provided by the instructors
- Perform independent research on the selected topic
- Give a presentation on the selected topic
- Give and receive feedback on their research 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.