Course Descriptions

ONLINE ARCH 6/320 Archaeological Methods and Theory - Credit Hours: 3

Semester normally offered:

Course Description

This course introduces students to the essential archaeological methods and theoretical frameworks for interpreting and understanding the past. The class will address what archaeology is, what it can and cannot do, how to do archaeology, and how we ask questions of and understand the past using archaeology. Specifically, the class will address what archaeology teaches us about ancient diet, technology, trade, religion, environmental conditions, and more. We will also see how archaeological methods and theories have been used in biblical archaeology over the past 130 years.

Course Equivalencies

• Biblical Archaeology
• Culture and History of Ancient Israel

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• understand the main theoretical approaches used by archaeologists;
• be conversant with methods and goals of uncovering past remains via archaeology, including issues in interpreting and publishing results;
• communicate insights from their exposure to specific archaeometric approaches to investigating the past; and
• explicate the changing relationship between the archaeology of ancient Israel and biblical studies.

Field Study