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CS92PROD
African Archaeology

ANTH 256
Spring 2012
Section: 01  
Crosslisting: ARCP 256
Course Cluster: African Studies

Africa's past is too often written about in clichés, with the darkness of prehistory presumed to shroud most of that which archaeologists study. This course will take a different approach through the archaeology of Africa's historic past, which includes those centuries of prehistory that are historical in Africa by merit of their ties to oral histories of contemporary societies.

Chronologically, we will begin with the origins of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, moving on to ironworking, complex societies, urbanism, and the archaeology of the recent and contemporary past. Topics of study will include archaeological approaches to social identities and gender; ethnoarchaeology (the study of contemporary material culture to inform the past) including studies of potters, ironworkers, housing, and cuisine; the archaeology of Islam and Christianity in Africa; studies of the African diaspora through material approaches; and contemporary heritage issues on the continent.

Essential Capabilities: Intercultural Literacy, Interpretation
This course will enable students to interpret material culture as a source of historical knowledge. It will be focused on understanding the historical past and heritage issues of contemporary Africa.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS ANTH
Course Format: Lecture / DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (ANTH)(ARCP)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-29-2024
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