ANT 151 - World Archaeology
Online Course - Summer 2008
Dear Online Student:
Welcome to World Archaeology! (ANT 151)!
Archaeology appeals to many people for many reasons, and I hope that after this course you are even more interested in the field than you are now. I also hope that you enjoy the work you're about to undertake in this introductory, college-level course.
This course will be reading and writing intensive, and like other online courses, it is also something of an independent study, in that what you learn in this class is more directly tied to the effort you put into it. There's not hours of easy listening to lectures each week, and you'll need to make up that loss through reading.
Online courses require more self-motivation and discipline than traditional college classes, and in my opinion, they are harder than their on-campus version. On the other hand, you've chosen this class for a reason, and that might include the flexibility and opportunities that online courses can provide.
I'm excited you want to learn about world archaeology, but I also want to make sure you're coming into this class with the right attitude: willing to work and with the stamina to complete it. Stonehenge, the pyramids at Giza, the ancient cities of southern Iraq are all worth studying. The modern world can learn things from the Inca and Aztecs, the ancient Chinese and the Indus Valley. I would hope that by the end of the semester you'll agree, and that this course becomes a valued part of your college education.
The course itself will consist of weekly readings, written exercises, web exercises, and online bulletin board discussions. In the spirit of online courses, there will only be one required meeting - for our final exam (and you'll need to come with photo ID). The other exams will be online through the WebCT/Blackboard program, and there will also be a short research paper. Full details can be found in the syllabus and the orientation to the course in the WebCT/Blackboard shell for ANT 151.
As with all online courses, you will need access to a computer, an Internet connection and browser, and some basic computer skills. Beyond the orientation and syllabus to the course itself, there are many sources of help for the WebCT/Blackboard program available here at SCC (including the technical support numbers listed below).
WebCT/Blackboard courses will not be available to students until 5 working days prior to the start of the semester.
Instructor: William Griffin, Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology & Archaeology, SCC
Office: SSB 1104 C, 636-922-8465
E-mail for this class will be handled through the WebCT/Blackboard program.
Other contact information is the Social Science Department at 636-992-8398, the Distance Learning Office at 636-922-8470, and David Willmore, WebCT/Blackboard Administrator at 636-922-8514.
Course Meetings: There is only one required meeting for this class, the final exam. You have a choice of either meeting time, but you must be able to make one of these (and only one), and you must bring a photo ID to the exam itself.
Monday, July 28 - SSB 2401 - 7 p.m. - Final Exam
Tuesday, July 29 - SSB 2401 - 5 p.m. - Final Exam
Course Text and Video:
We will be using World Prehistory: A Brief Introduction, by Brian Fagan (7th ed.); along with a reader - Annual Editions: Archaeology, 8th edition. In addition to these two, there will also be extensive readings online (both my own unit write-ups and various web sites you'll be sent to). The two books can be bought new or used, on campus or on-line, but by the end of the first week of class you will need the books.
Other information: If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call. A great resource for all campus services is the web site at www.stchas.edu . Here you will find bookstore hours, library hours, online library catalog, student activities and athletics, ACE computer center hours, and much, much more.
Again, Welcome. I'm looking forward to this class and for the chance to get to know you a bit through your writings.
Sincerely,
William Griffin
