California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: 2/4/13
Department of Justice, Law and Society
A.

Protocol
Course Name: Seminar in Archaeology
Course Number: ANT 498
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ANT 100, ANT 290, ANT 400, or permission of the Instructor
Maximum Class Size: 30

B.

Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Conduct an in-depth study of a topic in Archaeology
2. Conduct a literature review in order to identify a core body of literature about a
topic
3. Objectively critique a set of readings or literature pertaining to either a theoretical
topic or a methodological issue
4. Write a position paper on a topic using the body of literature identified during the
literature review
5. Explain when in the history of Archaeology the theoretical topic or methodological
best fits and why and who were the important persons associated with its development

C.

Catalog Description:
An advanced course for studying a specific theoretical and/or methodological issue in
Archaeology. Examples of topics include settlement pattern archaeology, evolutionary
archaeology, household archaeology, classification, systematics, and cultural history units
such as the Late Prehistoric and the Late Woodland. The selection of the topic or topics
to be examined will vary in accordance with the research interests of the instructor and
the students.

D.

Outline of the Course:
I. Theoretical or methodological topic to be examined. Possible topics include:
A. Settlement archaeology
B. Site Catchments Analysis
C. Tool usage and function
D. Environmental archaeology
E. Gender in archaeology
F. Artifact classification
II. Discussion of the historical context within which the theoretical or methodological
issue arose and why.

A. Historic epistemology
B. Contemporary epistemology
III. Qualifying the research problem
A. Conduct review of literature on subject
B. Isolate relevant literature
C. Objectively critique the relevant literature
IV. Write a proposal for outlining the research question, problem, or hypothesis derived
from the course theme and how it will be addressed
A. Conduct research
a) Collect data
b) Analyze data
c) Test idea(s) against the data
V. Write finished paper in the form of a professional, problem-focused research
paper.
E.

Teaching Methodology (face to face or classroom):
A variety of teaching methodologies may be used in teaching this course. They include, but are
not limited to: lectures, PowerPoint images, assigned readings, case studies, multi-media
presentations, group discussions, and guest speakers. Emphasis will be placed on engaging the
learner for involvement and active participation in the learning process.

F.

Texts: The text may very well vary depending upon the instructor, but one possible text is:
Forensic Archaeology Advances in Theory and Practice (Paperback)
by John Hunter. Routledge Publishing.

G.

Assessment Activities (face to face or classroom). Individual instructors may customize
different activities.
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

H.

Performance assessment tasks
Weekly assignments and reports
Exams and/or quizzes
Individual/Group projects
Case studies
Research Reports
Article/Book Critiques

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities:
•

Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.

•

Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive
accommodations.

•

Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically involve
the faculty.

•

Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting
accommodations that involve the faculty.

Office for Students with Disabilities
Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation
Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for
self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
Location:
Azorsky Hall – Room 105
Phone:
(724) 938-5781
Fax:
(724) 938-4599
Email:
osdmail@calu.edu
Web Site:
http://www.calu.edu/current-students/student-services/disability/index.htm

I.

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
American Antiquity Journal
American Journal of Archaeology
Current Anthropology Journal
AnthroSource, a full-text online resource of over 30 American Anthropology journals and
magazines
Additional Information for Course Proposals

J.

Proposed Instructors:
Faculty members in the Department of Justice, Law & Society with the appropriate background
in Anthropology.

K.

Rationale for the Course:

The seminar allows students to investigate one or more theoretical or methodological

issues related to archaeology that is of interest to them. The seminar also builds or adds
onto the knowledge gained from ANT 290 and ANT 400.

L.

Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
No specialized equipment or supplies are needed.

M.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1. Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
The course does not require additional human resources. Faculty within the
department will teach this course.
2. Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
The course does not require additional physical resources.
3. Does the course change the requirements in any particular major?
Yes, the course will be a requirement in a revised undergraduate Anthropology
curriculum.
4. Does the course replace an existing course? (If so, list the course and attach a
Course Deletion sheet)
The course does not replace an existing course within the Anthropology curriculum.
5. How often will the course be taught?
The course will be taught not less than every third semester.
6. Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College?
(If the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No, this course does not duplicate any existing course at California University.
7.What is the recommended maximum class size for this course? It is a recommended that
no more than 25 students may enroll in this class.

N.

If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another
discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that
discipline. This course is taught within the anthropology discipline.

O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for
General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories for
General Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course
proposal before consideration by the UCC. No, this course will not be considered as a menu
course.

P.

Provide Approval Form (electronically).

Additional Guidelines

The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your course
proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the department.
1.

Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course Proposals)
and that all questions have been completely answered.

2.

Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New Course
form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate signatures
have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the preferred method)
or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the Chair of the UCC is in
possession of these forms.

3.

Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being
required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you must
include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement sheet(s) with
your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the proposed course
change be included with your proposal.

4.

When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you must
provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson.

5.

All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum
Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6.

Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes, credit
changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New Course
Form and submit electronically.

7.

New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, LOCs, Certificates, or changes to
advisement sheets will become effective the fall semester following committee approval.
The advisement sheets must also include the committee approval date and the
effective date on the advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and /or
Program Changes form.

8.

New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval.

9.

Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the discipline.

10.

Online courses should follow the Quality Matters™ rubric and is posted on the UCC
website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement (refer E.2
above) that refers to the Quality Matters™ rubric.

11.

All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on the
UCC website.