WELCOME TO
The past is powerful. For many, it is simply just interesting and a source of
entertainment. Others manipulate it to serve purposes ranging from supporting nationalism
and consciousness-raising, to their religious causes. Most do not understand the
limitations of archaeology, with its emphasis on the use of material culture as a way of
interpreting cultures, their adaptation and evolution.
Claims unsupported by scientific evidence, but that claim scientific support, use science
terminiology, or claim scientific validity can be called Pseudoscientific. When
these relate to the past, they can be called cult archaeology.When they attach
religious beliefs attacking evolution or using scentific evidence to promote a religious
belief in creation, they are called creationsim. We'll look at both in the class.
Two books, available at USD Book &
Supply, are required for the class:
Your grade in this class will consist of three elements.
This class is a seminar and that means discussion of the topics at hand. You should be ready and willing to talk in class. If you would like some hints on doing a good job, look at Taking Anthropology Seminars in the Student Anthropologist's Handbook.
You will choose a topic from the subject list following. No more than 3 people will be
allowed to select a topic. To research it, you should look at both texts to ascertain what
information your text might have about the topic and what bibliographic citat ions are
available from it. You should also do a World Wide Web search on the topic, probably using
the Altavista search engine at http://www.altavista.digital.com
because it also searches newsgroups and as well as full texts of web sites. Also look at
the Pseudoarchaeology page on USD's Anthropology Resources Page. Examine the topic according to
the brief page criteria, and prepare a 3-5 page brief on the
topic. As you do your web search, be sure to include all relevant URLs in your brief. For
briefs that are of quality, we will edit them and put them on the Pseudoarchaeology Web
Site, credited to you.
You will also prepare a 10-15 page, double-spaced word processed (typed) paper. Your paper can focus on the topic you selected for your presentation/brief or another class topic. In addition, it must address the following questions:
Don't simply answer these questions in some kind of list form. Rather, incorporate them into your paper as part of general discussion. Organize the paper carefully, using anthropological citation and bibliographic style. The paper topic must be s elected by March 1, with at least ten bibliographic sources submitted when you turn in your topic. You must have an outline done to submit by April 15. The final paper is due on May 3rd at 5 PM. Failure to meet any deadline will result in your grade on th e paper being reduced by one letter grade for each missed deadline.
The topic and reading list below is tentative, with changes based on altered class or instructor needs. Most weeks, we will see a video in support of the topic. You will find class video discussion sheets for each accessible fro m the course web page. Class presentations will largely accompany the topics in the schedule. Readings from the texts are chapter numbers. CCA=Cult Archaeology and Creationism; FMM=Frauds, Myths & Mysteries
Week 1, General Introduction, Discussion of class experience and interests
Week 2, What science can and can't do. Readings: FMM Preface, 1&2, CCA 1&2
Week 3, The dangers: Sometimes you can read a book by its cover! Readings: CCA 3-5
Week 4, Creationism 1, FMM 11 (pp. 212-223)
Week 5, Creationism 2, CCA 6-8
Week 6, Indians, Moundbuilders, and everything but the kitchen sink, 1. Readings:FMM 5-6
Week 7, Indians, Moundbuilders, and now the Sink: Lost Continents, 2. Readings: FMM 7-8
Week 8, E.T., please just go home! Ancient Astronauts, 1. Readings: FMM 9
Week 9, Von Daniken vs. Sagan. Ancient Astronauts, 2. Readings: Cosmic Connection
page
Week 10, Pyramids. Readings: Mendelssohn's " A Scientist Looks at the Pyramids"
Week 11, New Age Archaeology. Readings: FMM 10, 11 (pp. 224-236)
Week 12, Real Frauds, Real Mysteries. FMM 3-4, 12
Week 13, What do we do about all this and why should we worry? Readings: CCA 9-10
Week 14, What should we anticipate with the new Millenium? Readings: CCA 11
I have left 2 weeks unscheduled to catch up with unfinished business, presentations, and
paper problems. We may use them during the middle of the course as needed.
You should be aware that people have a range of opinion about class topics. Try to be patient with those with whom you don't agree. I hope you will also have some fun in here, but with the serious end of learning how to critically analyze spectacular claims about the past. Keep an open mind, but be skeptical. Remember, one last terrifying thought: most college students go back to an uncritical view of such fantastic claims within a few years of having a course such as this one! Beware!
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