ANTHROPOLOGY 216

PALEOLITHIC AGE

 

FALL, 2007, M-W-F, 9:30-10:20

INSTRUCTOR:  M.G. MICHLOVIC

(ph-2035 or michlovc@mnstate.edu)

 

OFFICE AND HOURS: 

104 KING HALL

M-H: 10:30-11:30 and 1:30-3

 

TEXTS: K. Schick and N. Toth, Making Silent Stones Speak

             D. Lewis-Williams, The Mind in the Cave

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

          This course is a prelude to history; the deep background of human culture.  Recorded history accounts for about 1% of the time people have been on earth, the other 99% of the human story is not recorded in written documents, but is known primarily through the archaeological record.  This class deals with the archaeological materials that relate to the hundreds of thousands of years before the time of written history--the time of prehistoric cultures of the Old Stone Age. Topics considered in the class include: the first tool makers, the beginning of hunting and meat eating, the "cave dwellers" of the Ice Age, the art of Paleolithic caves, and the variety of stone tool industries and life styles of prehistoric peoples. Students will also be exposed throughout the course to the methods and theories used by archaeologists to explain the past.

          The course is lecture/discussion in format.  Lectures will be standard, although questions and discussion are welcome at any time.

 

PREREQUISITES: None

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

          Provide students with an understanding of:

      • the meaning of the Paleolithic
      • chronology of Paleolithic Age
      • stages in hominid evolution associated with the Paleolithic
      • technological features of the Paleolithic
      • human behavioral development inferred from physical evidence
      • techniques used by archaeologists in studying the Paleolithic
      • how to apply knowledge gained in class to understanding new discoveries from Paleolithic times

 

 

 

 

EVALUATION:

          Students will be evaluated by their performance on exams and on the class projects. The relative value of exams and projects are listed below. Attendance is at the discretion of students. The instructor does not provide notes or make-up work for those who miss class. If you miss an exam, a make-up will be necessary (in case of illness, emergencies, etc). There will be a penalty for late projects. The second exam is not cumulative. The final exam will cover mostly the last portion of the course, but some issues from earlier in the semester may be included.

 

REQUIREMENTS: 

          READINGS:

The Schick and Toth volume is to be read before exam #2; the Lewis-Williams book by the final exam.

 

PROJECTS:

Students will be provided with archaeological problems, which they will solve and explain in brief reports. These projects will not involve library research, but will be based on class materials.

                   Short project:        Nov. 2 (2pp)  (10%)

                   Long project:         Dec. 2 (5+pp) (25%)

 

          EXAMINATIONS:

There will be three examinations. (Subject to change of date within a week of the date below)

                   Exam #1:      Sept. 14 (15%)                                   

                   Exam #2:     Oct. 22  (20%)                                  

                   Final:           Dec. 18, 3pm. (30%)                           

                                                                                      

         

                  

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Email: michlovc@mnstate.edu | Updated: 2/1/05