Course Syllabus
Overview
From the early stages of human evolution to the present, this course explores the deep past of North Africa. Rejecting the colonialist perspectives typical of the study of the region, we will study its indigenous peoples and their long-term relationships with the Mediterranean, the Near East, the Sahara and Tropical Africa. Students are encouraged to bring their own interests (art, music, literature, technology) to their experience of the class.
Course Requirements
The course is designed to be interactive, with students encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion. Students are expected to be courteous and diplomatic with their classmates during discussions. Polemical statements are neither welcome nor are they conducive to productive discourse. In addition to the technical reports described above, students will be graded based on their attendance and participation in class and a two day conference in November (14-16) on campus on the “State of the Field” of North African archaeology, a midterm, a 15-20 minute presentation on a topic of their choosing relevant to African archaeology, and a final research paper also of their choosing (10-15 pages double-spaced, 1” margins, twelve point Times New Roman font). Students are encouraged to develop research papers and presentations that accord with their own interests, be they music, art, science, etc. The presentation can be based on their papers. Graduate students who are interested in further reading are encouraged to discuss their interests with me.
Grade percentages
○ Attendance and participation: 20%
○ Midterm examination: 15% (October 16)
○ Technical reports (3 in total): 30% (Due September 16, September 23, November 4)
○ Research paper: 20% (Due last day of class, December 4)
○ Presentation: 15% (November 20, December 2, December 4)
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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