Course Summary

PARCH 101
An Introduction to Pennsylvania Archaeology

Course Introduction

• Prerequisite Courses: None

• Method of Instruction: Online
• Instructor: Jared A. Divido, MSc
• Class Meets: November 27th, 2018 - December 4th, 2018
• Course Description:

Archaeology can broadly be defined as the study of biological and material remains for
the purpose of reconstructing past societies and cultures.

This course introduces students to the study and practice of archaeology, with specific
focus on Pennsylvania archaeology. This course will explore the
background of archaeology, and discuss methods for the excavation, analysis, and
interpretation of archaeological materials. Case studies and videos of
Pennsylvania archaeological sites will be utilized to demonstrate the diverse
archaeological nature of Pennsylvania, both prehistorical and historically. By the end of
the course, students should gain an elementary understanding of the goals, methods,
and importance of archaeological research.

Learner Support

• Instructor Office Location: 125A Davis Hall

• Office Hours: Tuesday, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM; other hours available via appointment
• Instructor Email: tjsq@iup.edu
• Phone: (724) 427-5303
• Method of Making Appointment: E-mail
• ITS contact: it-support-center@iup.edu
• Other: Please visit https://www.iup.edu/success/student-resources/academic-support-
services/ to learn more about the academic support services that are available to
students.
Instructional Materials

• Required Instructional Materials:

o Students will access all of the course materials via D2L.
o Course materials include interactive diagrams/images, websites, videos, and case
studies.
o A stable internet connection is required to access the course content.

Course Learning Goals & Objectives

Learning Goals:

1) The student will be able to identify the importance and scope of archaeological research.

2) The student will gain a basic understanding of the excavation, documentation, and
laboratory analysis processes.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the first lesson, students will be able to:

1) Define the importance of archaeological research by applying learned knowledge to a

short case study.

2) Identify the major types of archaeology by matching written definitions to images of each
type.

3) Determine the correct steps in the excavation process when an artifact is found by using
an ordered list.

Assessment

• Grading Criteria:

Discussion/Participation 30 points

Exams 50 points

Quizzes 50 points

Course Project 40 points

TOTAL: 170 points

 • Response Time and Feedback Plan:

Please allow up to 24 hours for feedback on major assignments or assessments in the

course. E-mails and voice messages will be responded to within 2 to 4 hours.

• Final Grading Scale:

The final grade for this course will be assessed using a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
basis. Students are expected to achieve at least a 70% final average across all
assessments and assignments to earn a satisfactory grade.

Tentative Schedule

Course Welcome
• Assignments:
o Please review the course outline and introductory announcement
o Post to the “Course Introduction” discussion board prompt & respond to at least
two of your classmates’ posts

Module 1: An Overview of Archaeology

• Students will be introduced to the study and importance of archaeology. Important
terminology will be defined. Archaeology field and laboratory techniques will also be
discussed.
• Assignments:
o Review the content module
o Complete the interactive knowledge check (ungraded)

Module 2: Pennsylvania Archaeology

• Students will learn about the rich archaeological past of the Pennsylvania region.
Current and past archaeological projects will be used as examples in this lesson.
• Assignments:
o Review the content module
o Explore the external links on D2L to learn more about the sites and their
archaeological significance

Module 3: Interactive Site Visit

• Students will have the opportunity to explore an interactive tour of the Meadowcroft
Rock Shelter site. The Meadowcroft Rock Shelter is located in Washington, PA, and
it is thought to be one of the oldest human occupation sites in North America.
• Assignments:
o Complete the virtual tour of the Meadowcroft Rock Shelter (link on D2L)
o Post your reaction(s) to the experience on the discussion forum “Course
Reflections”