Discipline: Anthropology Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Anthropology 3


COURSE DESCRIPTION
3 Prehistoric Cultures Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
The development of human society from the earliest evidence of culture to the beginnings of recorded history. The concepts, methods, and data of prehistoric archaeology are used to examine the major transitions in human prehistory, including the origins of culture, agriculture, and early civilization. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
The development of prehistoric societies from the earliest evidence of human culture to the beginnings of recorded history.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Distinguish and compare the major sites, cultures, technology,
periods, and trends in the evolution of human culture.

Analyze archaeological evidence in order to formulate
interpretations about the nature of past human lifeways and
culture change.

Explain major transitions and their effects on the development of
human society in the light of current archaeological data and
theory.

Compare cultural sequences from different regions of the world in
order to assess explanations of cultural evolution.

Discuss the value of archaeological methods and perspectives for
elucidating the range of cultural diversity of the past, and for
recovering the traditional knowledge and technology of prehistoric
societies.

Assess current debates in the interpretation of human prehistory.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The discipline of prehistoric archaeology
    1. Basic concepts and methods of archaeology
    2. Relative and absolute dating
    3. Theoretical frameworks for the study of human prehistory
  2. The early evolution of hominids and the first development of human culture
    1. Biological and cultural evolution
    2. Context: environment, relationship to the primates
    3. Earliest hominids and the australopithecines
  3. Later hominids and cultural evolution of the Lower and Middle Paleolithic periods
    1. Homo habilis and the origins of cultural behavior
    2. Earliest sites and stone tools
    3. Homo erectus: physical and cultural developments
    4. Neandertals and archaic Homo sapiens: physical and cultural developments
  4. Modern humans and the cultural developments of the Upper Paleolithic
    1. Characteristics of modern humans
    2. Sites, artifacts, art
    3. The peopling of the Americas
  5. Characteristics of agriculture and theories of the origins of agriculture
    1. Definitions of agriculture and domestication
    2. Effects of agriculture on society
    3. Theories of the origins of agriculture
    4. Early farming societies in the Old and New Worlds
  6. The development of complexity
    1. Complex farming societies in North America
    2. Characteristics of the state
    3. Theories of the origin of civilization
  7. Early state societies in the Old World
    1. Sumer and western Asia
    2. Egypt and Africa
    3. Other Old World regions
  8. Early state societies in the New World
    1. Mesoamerica
    2. South America
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures, discussions, and demonstrations, in order for students to comprehend the basic concepts and frameworks used in the study of prehistory
  • Audiovisual presentations, including videos, slides, DVDs, handouts, and electronic or computer-based media, in order to illustrate and enhance course content
  • Presentation of artifacts and other hands-on materials in order to illustrate and apply course concepts and methods
  • Pair, small group, and class collaborative activities and projects using problems and/or hands-on materials, in order to allow students to apply basic fieldwork, analysis, and interpretive methods used in archaeology as means for reconstructing ancient society
  • Development and assignment of written projects, essays, research projects, posters, and oral presentations, for the examination of case studies, application of methods, and interpretation of materials, in order to allow students to apply archaeological concepts, explore ancient sites in more depth, and apply interpretive methodology to the study of cultural evolution
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • 1. Quizzes and examinations designed to assess mastery of course concepts, critically analyze problems, and apply key concepts
  • Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate ability to apply concepts to novel situations, utilize methods and techniques, apply theoretical perspectives, and make reasonable inferences from evidence about ancient society and cultural evolution
  • Written reports, projects, essays, posters, and oral presentations designed to apply concepts, utilize methods and techniques, apply and assess theoretical perspectives, and make reasonable inferences from evidence about ancient society and cultural evolution
  • Final examination designed to assess mastery of the essential concepts developed in the course
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Crabtree, Pam and Douglas Campana. Exploring Prehistory: How Archaeology Reveals Our Past. 2 ed. any: McGraw Hill, 2006.
  • Fagan, Brian. People of the Earth: An Introduction to World Prehistory. 12 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2007.
  • Fagan, Brian. World Prehistory: A Brief Introduction. 6 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2005.
  • Feder, Kenneth. The Past in Perspective, with Powerweb. 4 ed. any: McGraw Hill, 2007.
  • Price, T. Douglas and Gary Feinman. Images of the Past, with Powerweb. 4 ed. any: McGraw Hill, 2005.
  • Wenke, Robert and Deborah Olszewski. Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind’s First Three Million Years. 5 ed. any: Oxford University Press, 2007.
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