Archaeology Concentration

Archaeology is the interdisciplinary study of the past through its material remains, situated in their cultural and environmental context. The core and supporting courses of the Archaeology Concentration at Carleton are designed to give students a methodological and theoretical introduction to these three elements of materials, culture and environment. In course projects, students take an interdisciplinary view, analyzing and interpreting material remains in a variety of ways. The range of supporting courses provides students with the flexibility to plan their own programs. In addition to Archaeology courses, several other department offer classes that count toward the Archaeology Concentration; these include Classical Languages, Geology, Art History, History, and Sociology and Anthropology.

Students from any major may participate in the Archaeology Concentration. Students interested in the concentration are encouraged to consult with the coordinators early in the sophomore year in order to plan ahead and retain as much freedom of choice as possible in meeting the requirements of the program.

Requirements for the Concentration

A total of eight courses are required for the concentration, including four core courses, three supporting courses, and one capstone seminar.

Core Courses (4):

  • ARCN 246 Archaeological Methods
  • CLAS 122 The Archaeology of Mediterranean Prehistory; or CLAS 123 Greek Archaeology and Art; or CLAS 124 Roman Archaeology and Art
  • GEOL 210 Geomorphology; or GEOL 258 Geomorphology of Soils (Note: there is a prerequisite of one 100-level geology courses to enroll in either of these courses)
  • SOAN 110 Introduction to Anthropology

Supporting Courses (3):

Supporting courses may be drawn from any of the core courses listed above (beyond the four required), or from other ARCN pertinent courses (listed below). In each course the student must (at a minimum) complete a project with an explicit focus on the interpretation of archaeological materials. In certain circumstances another course (one not listed as ARCN pertinent) may be substituted with the approval of the Archaeology Program co-directors, provided the requirement of completing an archaeological project of sufficient scale is also fulfilled. An archaeological field school or independent study may also count toward one of the required supporting courses, if Carleton course credit is granted or a follow-up independent student is undertaken with the Program co-directors.

The concentration co-directors can advise students about which courses may fulfill these requirements. These courses are in many college departments and include courses conducted by visiting professors. Students are encouraged to consult with the concentration co-directors, who are available to help students and instructors of supporting courses.  A list of current courses with ARCN pertinent designations are provided here:

  • ARTH 101 Introduction to Art History I
  • CLAS 100 The Trojan Legend: Mythology and Legacy (Not offered 2016-17)
  • CLAS 267 Political Landscapes: Archaeologies of Territory and Polity
  • HIST 246 The Material World of the Anglo-Saxons (Not offered 2016-17)
  • SOAN 241 Guatemala Program: Mesoamerican Cultures
  • Independent Study resulting from a summer field project

Capstone Seminar (1):

  • ARCN 395 Archaeology: Science, Ethics, Nationalism and Cultural Property

Field Experience

Students are highly encouraged to become involved in archaeological fieldwork beyond the context of their coursework at Carleton. The Archaeological Institute of America's Fieldwork Bulletin (https://www.archaeological.org/fieldwork/afob) is an excellent resource for locating opportunities. Enrolling in an external program of fieldwork is not a formal requirement of the concentration, but can count toward supplementary coursework. Again, students are encouraged to discuss possible opportunities with the concentration co-directors.

Archaeology Courses

ARCN 246 Archaeological Methods As a field that is truly interdisciplinary, archaeology uses a wide range of methods to study the past. This course provides a hands-on introduction to the entire archaeological process through classroom, field, and laboratory components. Students will participate in background research concerning local places of historical or archaeological interest; landscape surveying and mapping in GIS; excavation; the recording, analysis, and interpretation of artifacts; and the publication of results. This course involves real archaeological fieldwork, and students will have an opportunity to contribute to the history of the local community while learning archaeological methods applicable all over the world. 6 credits; LS; Spring; Alex R Knodell
ARCN 395 Archaeology: Science, Ethics, Nationalism and Cultural Property This seminar course will focus on a wide range of contemporary issues in archaeology, including case studies from many continents and time periods that shed light on archaeological theory and practice. Specific course content varies. The course serves as the capstone seminar for the Archaeology Minor; enrollment is also open to non-minors. 6 credits; NE; Not offered 2016-17

Pertinent Courses