Andrews University
Department of Behavioral Sciences
ANTH478 Syllabus 2006
Archaeological and Ethnographical
Perspectives on theMiddle East
Field School Version, 3 credits
Instructor: Øystein S. LaBianca, Ph.D.
labianca@andrews.edu
Instructor’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 senior 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.
I. Course Description:
History of exploration. Beginnings of sedentary food production and pastoralism. Rise of Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilization. Israel , Ammon , Moab and Edom . Rome and Christianity. History of the Arabs and Islamic civilization. Ethnographical perspectives on women, families, tribes, and states. Islam and the modern world.
II. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss the history of exploration of the Middle East
- Discuss the beginnings of sedentary food production and pastoralism
- Discuss the rise of primary states in Egypt and Mesopotamia
- Discuss the rise of secondary states in Iron Age Palestine
- Discuss the legacy of Greece and Rome in Israel, Jordan and Palestine
- Discuss the history of the Arabs and Islamic civilization
- Discuss ethnographical perspectives on women, families, tribes and states
- Discuss Islam and the modern world
III. Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction include assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, panel presentations, and writing assignments. There are two unit exams and a comprehensive exam at the end of the semester. Daily attendance is essential to good performance as assigned readings complement rather than duplicate topics covered in class lectures.
IV. Course Requirements:
· Assigned Readings: Assigned readings are listed below. Others may be added to those already listed.
· Notebook Journal: The journal should be used for writing down instructions, reactions to assigned readings as listed below, observations and reflections in connections with the tour of archaeological sites and ethnographic experience, and notes toward lessons learned. The journal may be kept by hand or using a word processor.
· Archaeology Tour: Tours to archaeological sites in Jordan are scheduled for nearly every weekend. These will provide opportunities for you to visit sites from nearly every archaeological period, from the Neolithic to the Ottoman. Be sure to bring a camera, paper and pencil to document your visits to each site. Write a report of min 8 pages in which you explain what you have learned about the archaeological history of Jordan from taking these tours.
· Ethnographic Experience: You will likely be invited to the home of local villagers or Bedouin. Such visits count as ethnographic experiences. You should be sure to write down observations and reactions, and, if your hosts permit, take some photos of the people. Discuss the experience with your instructor, and decide on a topic for more detailed follow-up research. Write a report of min 8 pages in which you report on your observations and conclusions based on visits with your hosts.
· Annotated Photo Album: The album is where you should assemble photos documenting your participation on tours to archaeological sites and your ethnographic field experiences. All entries should include date, location and subject information. Selected images from the album may also be used in the reports discussed above.
· Lessons Learned Essay: Write an essay of min 4 pages in which your share what you have learned as a result of completing assignments for this class. You may also comment on the course requirements and offer suggestions for the future of this course.
Grading Standards:
Assignment |
Points |
% |
Notebook Journal |
120 |
30 |
Archaeological Tours Report |
80 |
20 |
Ethnographic Encounter Report |
80 |
20 |
Annotated Photo Album |
80 |
20 |
Lessons Learned Essay |
40 |
10 |
TOTAL |
400 |
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:
- Students should be proactive in making sure assignments are completed on time
- All written reports are to be double spaced using 12 point type
- It is the student's 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:
LaBianca, Oystein S.
1990 Hesban I: Sedentarization and Nomadization. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press (available in Jordan)
Linda L. Layne
1994 Home and Homeland. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton UniversityPress
Suzanne Richard
2003 Near East Archaeology: A Reader. Winona Lake, Indiana : Eisenbrauns.
IX. Course Outline: Assigned Reading Schedule (document in notebook journal)
05-01 Mon Read Home and Homeland chapters 1-3
05-08 Mon Read Home and Homeland chapters 4-6
05-15 Mon Read Home and Homeland chapters 7-8
05-22 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 1
05-29 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 2
06-05 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 3
06-12 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 5
06-19 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 6
06-26 Mon Read Hesban I chapter 7
07-03 Mon Read NEA Reader “Method and Theory in Syro-Palestinian Archaeology”
07-10 Mon Read NEA Reader “Bible and Archaeology”
07-17 Mon Read NEA Reader “Ethnography/Ethnology”
07-24 Mon Read NEA Reader: Your choice from Part I
07-31 Mon Read NEA Reader: Your choice from Part II
08-07 Mon Read NEA Reader: Your choice from Part II
08-14 Mon Read NEA Reader: Your choice from Part II
08-21 Mon Turn in Portfolio of Work Completed including
Notebook Journal (reactions to readings)
Archaeology Tour Report
Ethnographic Experience Report
Annotated Photo Album
Lessons Learned Essay
Edited 12/15/05 tlc
