Course Synopsis:

Digging Up the Past focuses on the intersection of history and archaeology. Conventionally, we think of archaeologists in the field excavating artefacts, buildings, and bones whereas we think of historians sitting in libraries and archives reading documents. Rarely do we think about how these two approaches to the past influence, correct, and contradict each other. This course will use an enquiry-based learning pedagogy to focus on a number of case studies, some famous, some more obscure, but all demonstrating how archaeology and history work together to bring us closer to the past.

Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. manage your time in university for success
2. distinguish between important information and unnecessary details
3. distinguish between a scholarly and a non-scholarly source
4. develop effective written and oral communications skills and enhance listening comprehension
5. analyze and interpret a variety of primary and secondary sources and construct a historical argument
6. act with academic integrity
7. cite sources appropriately in history classes
8. learn that historical interpretations change over time and in response to evidence
9. learn that history is a diverse enterprise which helps us to understand different cultures, regions and states
10. appreciate the complementary contributions historical and archaeological approaches to the past
11. recognize the ways in which knowledge and skills have travelled and been constructed across cultures
12. develop skills in research in the library and online, using databases and the websites of museums, universities and professional organizations
13. develop experience in the critical evaluation of information
14. develop the ability to assess their own academic performance and that of others
15. gain experience with teamwork while appreciating how every individual contributes to collaborative learning.

Method of Evaluation and Weights:

There will be two types of evaluation in this course but there will be continuous feedback about progress towards the goals of the course. The continuous feedback will be given at the end of each session and will involve an interactive discussion between participants. Formal evaluation will include:

First Case Analysis: Triquet Island - 15%
Second Case Analysis: Guelph Jail - 20%
Participation as assessed by peer and self assessment - 30%
Final Case Analysis - 35%
Total 100%

There will be no mid-term and no final examination in this course.

Required Textbooks:

There are no textbooks for this course.  Case materials will be distributed as necessary.

Please note: This is a preliminary website description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.