Course Syllabus: Prehistoric Cultures of North America

Course No: AIS 130 / ANTH 130

Instructor: Crouthamel

Office: MD-140 / email <scrouthamel@palomar.edu>

Web site <http://www2.palomar.edu/users/scrouthamel>

Description: A survey of Pre-Columbian cultures of North America with emphasis on applied archaeological data for the reconstruction of cultural systems and culture change. Interpretation problems are examined in conjunction with a survey of cultures in time / space and exemplary sites.

Text:  Sutton, M.Q.: A Prehistory of North America; Prentice Hall, 2011

Test # 1                                                             100 pts

Test # 2                                                             100 pts

Data Interpretation Practicum                           40 pts

Archaeological site assessment                    100 pts

_______________________________________

                                     Total                             340 pts

Student Learning Outcomes:...the student will be able to...

1. Identify prehistoric adaptations of Native American cultures to changing North American geographical regions over the past 15,000 years based on assessment of archaeological sites and artifacts.

2. Evaluate and contrast Native American viewpoints of the prehistoric past with current archaeological theory.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural resource management (CRM) in terms of environmental law (including NAGPRA & NEPA), scientific archaeology and Native American cultures.

I. American Archaeology & American Indians

     A. Speculative Period

    B. Classificatory-Descriptive Period

    C. Classificatory-Historical Period

    D. Explanatory Period

II. Culture Theory & Archaeological Method

    A. American Indian Cultures

    B. Archaeological Survey, Excavation, & CRM

 Text/ Sutton:  Chap 1

III. Paleo-Indian Traditions

    A. Origins & American Environments

    B. Pre-Clovis

    C. Big-Game Hunting Traditions

        (Site #1 - Blackwater Draw )

Text/ Sutton:  Chap 2 & 3

IV. Plains Traditions

    A. Bison hunters

    B. Village farmers

Text/ Sutton: Chap 10

V.  Far North Traditions

    A. Paleo-Arctic and Arctic Small Tool

    B. Arctic maritime/ hunters

Text/ Sutton:  Chap 4 &13

VI.  Far West Traditions

    A. NW Coast

        (Site # 2- Ozette )

    B. Plateau

    C. California

        (Site # 3- PC3 A&B )

    D. Great Basin

Text/ Sutton: Chap 5.6,7 & 8

DUE: <TEST #1>

VII. Southwest Traditions

    A. Mogollon

    B. Anasazi

        (Site # 4- Pueblo Bonito )

    C. Fremont

    D. Hohokam

    E. Patayan

    F. Na-Dene

Text/ Sutton:  Chap 9

VIII. Eastern Woodland Traditions

    A. Woodland Cultures

        1. Adena

        2. Hopewell

    B. Mississippian Cultures

        (Site # 5- Cahokia )

Text/ Sutton Chap 11 & 12

DUE: <PRACTICUM>

IX. Contemporary Issues

    A. Cultural Resources & Museums

    B. Historical Sites

    C. Repatriation

Text/ Sutton : Chap 14

DUE: < TEST #2>

          <SITE REPORT>