Prehistory of North America

Catalog description

North America exhibits widespread archaeological diversity in the material culture and lifeways of ancient peoples. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the prehistory of different regions in North America. We will consider trends in subsistence and settlement, as well as cultural patterns, exchange, social complexity, and culture contact. Discussions will cover theoretical and methodological underpinnings of contemporary archaeological thought in North America, and explore some of the hotly debated issues currently at the forefront of North American archaeology. Case studies will be used to provide in-depth examples and as material for classroom dialogue. Finally, we will discuss culture contact arising from European exploration and settlement in the New World. Issues to be covered include disease, environmental degradation, religion, and resistance to European influence. Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring