Andrews University
Department of Behavioral Sciences
Syllabus 2007
ANTH 440, OTST 615, OTST 810
Jordan Dig Orientation
Spring Semester, 1-3 credits
Instructors:
Øystein S. LaBianca, Ph.D. Randall W. Younker, Ph.D.
labianca@andrews.edu younker@andrews.edu
Office: NH 123D ph: 3515 Office:Institute of Archaeology
Dr. LaBianca’s Professional Background: Dr. LaBianca is Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. His other duties include serving as graduate programs coordinator for the department and founding director of Andrews’ field-based MSA in International Development. In his capacity as Associate Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Dr. LaBianca conducts anthropological and archaeological fieldwork in Jordan and Palestine. His research examines the causes of instability and collapse of local food systems and the nature of indigenous knowledge in coping with uncertainty and change. His research has been funded by Andrews University, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Geographic Society.
Dr. Younker’s Professional Background: Dr. Younker is the Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology in the Old Testament Department of the SDA Theological Seminary. Trained as a field archaeologist, Dr Younker has participated in archaeological digs in Israel and Jordan for over 26 years, including work at Tel Dor, Tel Gezer, Tall Umayri, Tall Jawa and Tall Jalul in Jordan. He has served on the Board of the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research in Jerusalem and is currently on the Board of Trustees of the American Schools of Oriental research. He is a co-director of the Madaba Plains Project and is Director of the Tall Jalul Excavations in Jordan which are part of MPP.
I. Course Description:
The course will serve as a preparatory course for students planning to join the Madaba Plains Project dig at Tall Hesban and Tall Jalul in Jordan during 2007. It will include background information about the Middle East and to Jordan in particular; an introduction to anthropological and archaeological methods and procedures, and an orientation to the Madaba Plains Project and the Hesban and Jalul digs in particular as examples of state-of-the-art biblical archaeology projects.
II. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain what is meant by the Middle East, the Fertile Crescent, the Levant, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Transjordan.
- Describe the salient features of the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
- Discuss the main issues in the conflict between Islam and the West and between Arabs and Jews
- Discuss the importance of such concepts as “honor,” “purity” and “hospitality” in dealings with Jordanians and other persons of Middle Eastern backgrounds
- Provide an overview of the ancient and recent history of Jordan, including the history of imperial interventions in Jordan through the ages and the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of today.
- Discuss the contribution of the Madaba Plains Project to biblical archaeology, early Christian church archaeology, and Islamic archaeology.
- Discuss key anthropological concepts developed and used for interpreting the long-term history of the Madaba Plains region such as archaeological food systems, cycles of intensification and abatement, sedentarization and nomadization, indigenous hardiness structures, radient civilizations, great and little traditions, the tribal kingdom hypothesis and the polycentrism hypothesis.
- Discuss the various excavation and recording procedures of the Madaba Plains Project
- Describe how and why pottery and bone readings are carried out on a daily basis at the camp headquarters.
- Discuss health and safety issues for travellers to the Middle East and Jordan
III. Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction include assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and writing assignments. A comprehensive exam will be administered at the end of the semester. For grad students (OTST 615 and 810), special advanced reading and other projects appropriate to your level and background will be assigned. Regular attendance is essential to good performance as assigned readings complement rather than duplicate topics covered in class lectures.
IV. Course Requirements:
- Attendance: Regular attendance is required and will be monitored. You are expected to be on time for class and to be present not only in body, but also with your mind.
- Assigned Readings: Assigned readings are drawn from textbooks and selected handouts listed below. The daily course schedule below tells you what specific reading assignments are due at the beginning of each class period.
- Reflection Journal (undergrad students): The journal should be used for recording class lecture notes, thoughts stimulated by assigned readings, impressions and reflections as you immerse yourself in the topics presented in this class.
- Compliance with Paperwork Completion: Paperwork which has to be completed in order for you to go to Jordan include: visa application; Jordan Government Security Form, Dig Application Packet; Financial Clearance Form; and Academic Registration Documents.
- Mid-term exam and End-term Quiz: The mid-term quiz will cover lectures and readings covered by Dr. LaBianca, Dr Younker and guest lectures during the first half of the course. The end-term exam will cover lectures and readings presided over by Dr. Younker during the second half of the term.
V. Grading Standards:
Assignment |
% |
Attendance |
20 |
Reflection Journal |
20 |
Compliance with Paperwork Completion |
20 |
Mid-term Quiz |
20 |
End-term Exam |
20 |
TOTAL |
100 |
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A |
94 – 100 % |
A- |
90 – 93 % |
B+ |
87 – 89 % |
B |
83 – 86 % |
B- |
80 – 82 % |
C+ |
75 – 79 % |
C |
70 – 74 % |
C- |
65 – 69 % |
D |
60 – 64 % |
F |
0 – 59 % |
VI. Assignment Submission:
- Reflection journals based on readings are due at the end of the semester
- Other assignments due at time set by instructor during the course
- It is the students responsibility to make sure the teacher gets his/her assignment
VII. Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to display honesty in all academic matters. Please review the Academic Integrity statement found in the University Bulletin for a complete description of what constitutes academic dishonesty along with the consequences for such behavior.
VIII. Textbooks:
James A Beverley
2001 Understanding Islam. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Larry G. Herr et al.
2002 Excavation Manual: Madaba Plains Project: Berrien Springs, Michigan: Institute of Archaeology
Gloria A. London and Douglas R. Clark
1997 Ancient Ammonites and Modern Arabs. Amman, Jordan: American Schools of Oriental Research
Levi, Thomas, Randall Younker, Michele Daviau and Mae Shaer
2007 Crossing Jordan: North American Contributions to the History and Archaeology of Jordan. London: Equinox
Hendrix, Ralph and Bjornar Storfjell
1995 Ancient Pottery of Transjordan. Berrien Springs, Michigan: Institute of Archaeology Publication
IX. Course Outline:
01-17 Wed Introduction to the Middle East and Jordan
Read http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce
Read http://www.gomideast.com
Costs and Financial Clearance
01-24 Wed Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Read http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/
Jordan Field School Courses and Requirements
01-31 Wed Islam and the West
Read Understanding Islam (handout)
Dig Application Packet Q and A
02-07 Wed Honor, Purity and Hospitality in Jordan
Read http://www.smi.uib.no/paj
Dig Application Packet Due
02-14 Wed An Overview of Jordan’s Archaeological History
Read Ancient Ammonites ch 1-5
02-21 Wed The Journey from Heshbon to Hesban and Hisban
Read Ancient Ammonites ch 6-12
02-28 Wed Mid-term Quiz
03-07 Wed MPP Dig Manual—Method and Theory of Excavation
Read: Excavation Manual Part 1: Procedures of Excavation
03-14 Wed MPP Excavation Procedures
Read: Excavation Manual Part 1: Procedures of Excavation
03-21 Wed Spring Break
03-28 Wed MPP Recording Procedures
Read: Excavation Manual Part II: Recording Procedures
04-04 Wed Introduction to Pottery and Faunal Analysis
Read: Ancient Pottery of Transjordan Berrien Springs, Michigan: I. of A.
04-11 Wed Introduction to Pottery and Faunal Analysis
Read: Ancient Pottery of Transjordan Berrien Springs, Michigan: I.of A.
04-18 Wed Health, Safety, Packing and Traveling Plans
Read: Instructions for Dig Participants (handout)
04-25 Wed End-of-Term Quiz
Edited 01/16/07 jlpc
