Course Description:
This course examines how archaeologists study the human past and why it matters for the present and the future of our planet. Each week, we will examine a new societal or environmental challenge we face today and how archaeological research can help us overcome those challenges at both global and local levels. We’ll discuss a wide range of issues from climate change to the global food crisis, from racial inequality to health and wellness. We’ll ask: are there ancient solutions to modern problems? How can we learn from the past to create a better future? And, how can archaeological methods help us to understand contemporary social issues? Through lectures, I will demystify the process of doing archaeology, explicating research design, methods, outcomes, and broader impacts. Through reading reflections, in-class activities, and exams, students will conceptualize how key archaeological concepts might be applied for social action. Readings will be drawn from a mix of popular sources, podcasts, peer-reviewed academic journals, and excerpts from scholarly books. While no prior knowledge of archaeology is needed for this course, a genuine interest in creating a more equitable, sustainable, and empowered future will help you succeed in this course.
Taught By:
Anna Antoniou
Associate Director Center for Community Engagement to Advance Scholarship and Learning (CCESL)
University of Denver (current)
Read profile here.
Assistant Professor
Anthropology Department
University of Massachusetts - Amherst (starting Fall ‘24)