Description:

This course is an introduction to the variety and continuity of the prehistoric human past. Through the archaeological record we will consider the evolution of humans, the transition of foraging to farming economies, the rise of complex societies, secondary state formation, and the collapse of complex societies. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the historical origins of Archaeology as a discipline and outline common techniques for understanding the prehistoric past through material remains.
2. Compare current theories on the origins of modern humans and their ancestors by considering the archaeological, physical, and genetic lines of evidence.
3. Explain the variety of human adaptation to the climatic and ecological conditions of the early Holocene.
4. Compare theories on the rise and spread of food production by considering archaeological evidence from around the world.
5. Explain the variety of prehistoric complex cultural organizations.
6. Compare theories on the rise of complex cultures by considering archaeological evidence from around the world.
7. Demonstrate the relevance of archaeological interpretation on contemporary local and global conditions.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Discipline of Archaeology
   A. The Study of the Human Past
      1. Define the field of archaeology and discuss how it can aid in
understanding the human past. 
      2. Trace the historical origins and development of archaeology. 
      3. Explain the significance of radiocarbon dating and the impact in
archaeology.
      4. Distinguish the goals and methods of contemporary schools of
archaeology. 

II. Human Origins
   A. African Origins
      1. List the names and sequence of species ancestral to humans
(hominins), who lived in Africa between 6 million and 2 million years ago.

      2. Compare and contrast the physical and behavioral characteristics
of hominin species.  
      3. Explain hominin development from an evolutionary perspective.
      4. Discuss the evidence for tool use and its significance to human
evolution. 
   B. Hominin Dispersals in the Old World
      1. List the names and sequence of species in the genus Homo.
      2. Compare and contrast the physical and behavioral characteristics
of species in the genus Homo.
      3. Explain the development of the genus Homo from an evolutionary
perspective. 
      4. Discuss the evidence for hominin migrations out of Africa.
      5. Be conversant with key finds and current debates related to the
genus Homo. 
   C. Rise of Modern Humans
      1. Compare and contrast the physical and behavioral characteristics
of archaic and modern humans.
      2. Discuss the origin and spread of anatomically modern humans.
      3. Evaluate models for the origins of modern humans.
      4. Describe the role of DNA research in Middle and Upper Paleolithic
studies.

III. Early Holocene Human Adaptation
   A. Concepts and Theories on the Domestication of Plants and Animals
      1. List the timing and characteristics of the Pleistocene and
Holocene. 
      2. Examine human responses to environmental change.
      3. Explain the processes that lead to recognizably domesticated
forms of species.
      4. Evaluate theories for the origins of sedentism, agriculture,
social complexity and state formation.
      5. Assess the consequences of agriculture as an adaptive strategy.
   B. Early Holocene: Africa
      1. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
Africa, and their effect on local social developments.
      2. Describe the cultural adaptations of Holocene hunter-gatherers in
Africa.
      3. Characterize the Neolithic transition in the various regions of
Africa: the Nile Valley, the Sahara, Central, and Southern Africa.
   C. Early Holocene: Southwest Asia
      1. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
Africa, and their effect on local social developments.
      2. Describe the Natufian culture. 
      3. Characterize the Neolithic transition in Southwest Asia. 
   D. Early Holocene: East Asia
      1. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
East Asia, and their effect on local social developments.
      2. Describe the cultural adaptation of Holocene hunter-gatherers in
East Asia. 
      3. Characterize the Neolithic transition in East Asia. 
      4. Discuss how Neolithic rice farmers migrated from the Yangzi
valley to other parts of East Asia.
   E. Early Holocene: Australia and the Austronesians
      1. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
Australia and the Pacific Islands, and their effect on local social
developments.
      2. Discuss the colonization and early occupation of Australia.
      3. Characterize the Neolithic transition in Australia and the
Pacific Islands. 
      4. Explain the Austronesian dispersal, as a language family and
material culture system.
   F. Early Holocene: Europe
      1. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
Europe, and their effect on local social developments.
      2. Describe the cultural adaptation of Holocene hunter-gatherers in
Europe.
      3. Characterize the Neolithic transition in Europe and subsequent
Bronze Age.
   G. Early Holocene: Americas
      1. Evaluate different models for the peopling of the Americas
through archaeological, physical, and genetic evidence. 
      2. Identify the geographic, climatic, and environmental features of
the Americas, and their effect on local social developments.
      3. Describe the cultural adaptation of Archaic hunter-gatherers in
the Americas.
      4. Characterize the transition to food production in the Americas.

IV. Rise of Civilizations
   A. Concepts and Theories on the Rise of Complex Societies
      1. Review various theories on the origins of state level societies.
      2. Define key terms and concepts crucial to an understanding of
state development.
      3. Evaluate the explanations for state development through various
lines of evidence. 
   B. Rise of Civilization: Southwest Asia
      1. Identify the environment, climate, and topography found in
Southwest Asia, and the impact of these conditions on the development of
complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric Southwest Asia.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in
Southwest Asia.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient Southwest Asian civilization. 
   C. Rise of Civilizations: Africa
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography
found in Africa, and the impact of these conditions on the development of
complex societies. 
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric Africa.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in Africa.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient African civilization.
   D. Rise of Civilization: Mediterranean System
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography
found in the Mediterranean region and the impact of these conditions on
the development of complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in the prehistoric Mediterranean
region. 
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies throughout
the Mediterranean.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to the
ancient Mediterranean civilizations.
   E. Rise of Civilization: South Asia
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography
found in South Asia and the impact of these conditions on the development
of complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric South Asia. 
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in South
Asia.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient South Asia. 
   F. Rise of Civilizations: East and Southeast Asia
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography
found in East, Central and Southeast Asia, and the impact of these
conditions on the development of complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric East and Southeast
Asia.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in East and
Southeast Asia. 
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient East and Southeast Asia.
   G. Rise of Civilization: Mesoamerica
      1. Identify the environment, climate, and topography of Mesoamerica,
and the impact of these conditions on the development of complex
societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric Mesoamerica.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in
Mesoamerica.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient Mesoamerica. 
   H. Rise of Civilization: South America
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography of
South America, and the impact of these conditions on the development of
complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric South America.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in South
America.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient South America.
   I. Complex   Societies of North America
      1. Identify the variety of environments, climates, and topography of
North America, and the impact of these conditions on the development of
middle-range and complex societies.
      2. Describe the cultural periods in prehistoric North America.
      3. Explain the transition of simple to complex societies in North
America.
      4. Be conversant with key sites, finds, and concepts related to
ancient North America.

V. Understanding Prehistory
   A. Relevance of the past
      1. Examine the ways in which knowledge of the past can give insight
into current problems.
      2. Describe the long and short-term consequences of human responses
to social, ecological, and climate change.
      3. Characterize the ways in which archaeology can contribute to an
understanding of the past and present.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A minimum of two examinations covering course content are required.
Examinations of course content will make up at least 60% of the final
grade. At the instructor’s discretion, students may be required to
complete in-class assignments, quizzes, oral presentations, experiential
learning, or an in-depth research project. Additional material will not
count for more that 40% of the final grade.  

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.