Archaeology is the discipline most directly concerned with the understanding and explanation of past societies through the study of their material remains. The reconstruction of these societies through the interpretation of material culture permits archaeology to span both the prehistoric and the historic periods. While certain
Archaeology Program courses originate within the program, others are cross-listed in the departments of Anthropology, Art and Art History, Classical Civilization, and History, as well as in the Medieval Studies Program. Majors design their own curriculum in close consultation with their advisor according to the specific area of concentration within the discipline.
Major requirements. A minimum of nine courses is required for the archaeology major. All majors must take Introduction to Archaeology (ARCP204) and Development of Archaeological Theory and Practice (ARCP381). In addition, majors are expected to take
at least one course from each of four areas:
|
Areas
|
Courses |
|
Prehistoric |
Paleoanthropology (ARCP202)
|
| |
Prehistory of the North American Continent (ARCP268) |
|
Classical |
Magic in the
Ancient World (ARCP118) |
| |
Aegean Bronze Age (ARCP201) |
| |
Survey of Greek Archaeology (ARCP214) |
| |
The Archaic Age: The Art and Archaeology of Early Greece (ARCP216) |
| |
Survey of Roman Archaeology and Art (ARCP223) |
| |
Art and Society in Ancient Pompeii (ARCP234) |
| |
The Archaeology of the Greek City/State (ARCP321) |
| |
Roman Urban Life (ARCP328) |
|
Postclassical |
Art and Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England (ARCP215) |
| |
Rural Life in Medieval Europe (ARCP256) |
| |
Medieval Archaeology (ARCP304) |
| |
Relic and Image: The Archaeology and Social History of Indian Buddhism (ARCP380) |
|
Methods and Theory |
Archaeological Analysis: Introduction to Laboratory Methods (ARCP265) |
| |
The Archaeology of Death (ARCP372) |
| |
Field Methods in Archaeology (ARCP373) |
| |
Grounding the Past: Monument, Site, and Historical Memory (ARCP383) |
The remaining three courses must consist of two elective courses in archaeology or related disciplines, which may include study abroad, and one of two senior essay or thesis tutorials.
Senior requirement. Seniors must write a senior essay or thesis that involves working closely in some way with material remains. This may include work on part of the collections located in the archaeology lab or research tied to a project of a Wesleyan faculty member.
Study abroad. Students are encouraged to spend a semester abroad at the University of Sheffield, the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, or the College Year in Athens.
Fieldwork opportunities. Majors have participated in faculty-directed summer fieldwork opportunities at Morgantina, Sicily (Greek); Pompeii, Italy (Roman); Soissons, France (medieval); and Illinois (prehistoric Native American). Excavation experience, either with Wesleyan projects or with other approved field schools, is strongly encouraged.
