Instructor: Larry J. Zimmerman, PhD, Visiting Professor
Office: 418 Jefferson Building
Office Hours: Immediately before and after class; MW 3:30-5:00
PM,
Others by appointment
Telephone: 335-0006 (American Indian and Native Studies-Leave message);
Home 341-8175
E-mail: larry-zimmerman@uiowa.edu
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 terminology, 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 scientific evidence to promote a religious
belief in creation, they are called creationism. We'll look at both in the class.
Two books, available at the University Book Store (IMU), are required for the class:
Your grade in this class will consist of four 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 citations are
available from it. You should also do a World Wide Web search on the topic, probably using
one of the many search engines such as Go
at http://www.go.com/. Use one that searches newsgroups and as well as full texts of web sites. Also
look at the Fantastic
Archaeology web site where you'll find a range of topics discussed in class. 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
Fantastic Archaeology Web Site, credited to you.
You will also prepare a 10-15 page (grad students, 20-25 pages), 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 selected by October 13th, with at least ten bibliographic sources submitted when you turn in your topic. You must have an outline done to submit by November 17th. The final paper is due on December 8th at the start of class. Failure to meet any deadline will result in your grade on the paper being reduced by one letter grade for each missed deadline.
You may substitute a project for the final exam. This project involves turning your brief, paper or another topic into a web page for the Fantastic Archaeology web site. You need to provide an expanded written brief into an analysis of the topic, then provide at least 10 web links or other materials that support and/or debunk the topic covered. You don't need to do the web markup unless you want to, but the material must be provided on diskette. The instructor will help you set it up.
Attendance is required for this course. Please remember that each missed class meeting is like missing a full week of a daytime course. You will be allowed one unexcused absence. Your grade will be reduced by a half-letter grade (+ or -) for each additional unexcused absence.
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 from 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, DHW=Demon-Haunted World, FA=Fantastic Archaeology, WT=Why People Believe Weird Things, AA=Ancient Astronauts, etc.
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, DHW
preface, 1&2, WT pp. ix-62
Week 3, The dangers: Sometimes you can read a book by its cover! Readings: CCA 3-5, DHW
3-6
Week 4, Creationism 1, FMM 11 (pp. 235-257), DHW 7-11, WT pp. 125-172, AA Intro
& 1
Week 5, Creationism 2, CCA 6-8, DHW 12-25
Week 6, Indians, Moundbuilders, and everything but the kitchen sink, 1. Readings:FMM 5-6,
FA 1-5, AA 2 & 6
Week 7, Indians, Moundbuilders, and now the Sink: Lost Continents, 2. Readings: FMM 7-8,
FA 6-11
Week 8, E.T., please just go home! Ancient Astronauts, 1. Readings: FMM 9, WT
pp. 88-98,AA 3&4
Week 9, Von Daniken vs. Sagan. Ancient Astronauts, 2. Readings: Cosmic Connection
page
Week 10, Pyramids. AA 5
Week 11, New Age Archaeology. Readings: FMM 10, 11 (pp. 258-264), FA 12, WT
63-114 (partly duplicates week 8)
Week 12, Real Frauds, Real Mysteries. FMM 3-4, 12, FA Epilogue, WT pp. 173-252
Week 13, What do we do about all this and why should we worry? Readings: CCA 9-10,
WT pp. 253-278, AA 7
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!
Additional General Information
For additional assistance contact the Department of Anthropology, 114 Macbride Hall, Telephone: 335-0522. The department DEO is Russell Ciochon.
Students with Disabilities: I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Please see me after class or contact me during my office hours.
Complaint Procedures: Any student complaints or concerns about this course should first be brought to the attention of the instructor first. We will make effort to resolve the matter. Should that not happen, the matter may be taken to the department DEO. Students may also examine the Schedule of Courses or the Liberal Arts Bulletin.
Plagiarism and Cheating: If I detect plagiarism or cheating, you will be notified in writing when the incident is discovered. Procedures discussed in the Schedule of Courses or the Liberal Arts Bulletin will be followed. Academic misconduct may result in severe penalties ranging from reduction of grades and probation to expulsion from the University for repeated offenses.
| Outline | Brief | Brief Schedule | Debunking Tools | Video Guides | Projects | Final |
larry-zimmerman@uiowa.edu
University of Iowa Anthropology
08/18/98