Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Experimental Archaeology (Face-to-Face)

ANTH 4700-03

Course: ANTH 4700-03
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: History, Sociology & Anthro
CRN: 33930

Course Description

This is a lab-based class intended to demonstrate how experimentation helps answer archaeological questions. Each week students will participate in experimental modules centered around different material culture types (i.e. food remains, rock “art,” lithics, ceramics, fiber, glass, etc.). Readings will help contextualize the experiments, while experiential  activities will allow students to achieve a better understanding on how past peoples made the artifacts we find in the archaeological record. Some classes will also be dedicated to experimenting with different analytical techniques, such as macrobotanical and lithic analyses. Where financially and logistically possible, guest instructors will be brought in to demonstrate their areas of expertise. Each module will end with students turning in a short lab report on their findings. That last few weeks of the semester will be devoted to students designing and carrying out their own experimental projects.

Required Texts

  • All course readings will be available as .pdf files available on CANVAS.  Readings will be a mixture of articles from periodicals such as EXARCH Journal and Ethnoarchaeology and chapters from edited volumes.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • understand the goals of experimental archaeology within the context of archaeological explanation and interpretation.
  • become familiar with the literature on experimental archaeology.
  • read papers related to a diverse range of topics in experimental archaeology.
  • learn of case studies in experimental archaeology.
  • design and carry out their own archaeological experiment.
  • understand how prehistoric objects were made and used, using information from experimental production and utilization.

Course Requirements

Your grade for the course will be determined on the basis of your performance on the following:
  1. Module Lab Reports (5 pts./module) There are 5 graded lab reports based on class activities: 25 points
  2. Fieldtrips to view artifacts and to collect materials for experiments: 10 points
  3. In Class Midterm Exam: 20 points
  4. Experimental Research Project: 35 points (broken down as follows)
    1. Topic and Research Question: 2 points
    2. Annotated Bibliography: 3 points
    3. Materials List and Project Outline: 5 points
    4. Oral Presentation to class: 5 points
    5. Final Paper on your Project: 20 points
  5. Attendance and Participation: 10 points
  6. Total: 100 points

I determine your final grade by calculating the percentage of the possible 100 points you have earned by the end of the semester.  My grading scale is as follows:
93 + %  = A                  73-76   = C
90-92    = A-                 70-72   = C-
87-89    = B+                67-69   = D+
83-88    = B                  63-66   = D
80-82    = B-                 60-62   = D-
77-78    = C+                  0-59   = F
Late work Policy: You can receive partial credit for late assignments and papers, but I will deduct one point per day late. 

Course Outline

NOTE: Class Project dates subject to change due to availability of guest "craft" instructors and weather conditions (I will, of course, inform you if this happens).

 | WEEK  |  DATES |  TOPICS | READINGS
 | 1 | 9/3 | Introduction | None
 | 2 | 9/8 & 9/10 |  Concepts and framework |  Ascher (1961), Coles (1980), Gould (1992)
 | 3 | 9/15 & 9/17 |  Formation processes  | Odell and Cowan (1987), Dunnell (1990), Yorston (1990a), Cowan and Odell (1990), Yorston (1990b), Nielsen (1991a, 1991b), Villa and Courtin (1983)
 | 4 | 9/22 & 9/24 |  Field Trip to Collect Materials & Settlement studies |  Nash (1968), Simms and Heath (1990), Bunn (1993)  
 | 5 | 9/29 & 10/1 |  Class Activity |  None
 | 6 | 10/6 & 10/8 | Lithic studies  |  Baumler & Downum (1989), Ingbar (1989), Tomka (1989), Keeley and Newcomer (1977), Newcomer et. al. (1986), Moss (1987), Kay (1996)
 | 7 | 10/13 & 10/15 | Class Activity / None
 | 8 | 10/20 & 10/22 |  Fall Break & In Class Midterm
 | 9 | 10/27 & 10/29 | Ceramic studies |  Kramer (1983), Longacre (1993), Schiffer (1994)
 | 10 | 11/3 & 11/5| Class Activity |  None
 | 11 | 11/10 & 11/12 |  Subsistence studies |  Reynolds (1979), Enloe (1993), Molloy (1993)
 | 12 | 11/17 & 11/19 | Class Activity  |  None
 | 13 | 11/24 & 11/26  |  Thanksgiving Break
 | 14 | 12/1 & 12/3 |  Class Activity | None
 | 15 | 12/8 & 12/10 |  Presentations on Final Experimental Projects 
 | 16 | Final Write up of your Experimental Project due by 12/17

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work
  • While I do accept late lab reports and fieldtrip write-ups, I deduct one point per day late. No lab reports and fieldtrip write ups will be accepted after the last day of classes.
Make-up Exams
  • Unless you have a verifiable and compelling excuse, there will be no make-up Midterm exam.
Course Etiquette
  • Please refrain from using your cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic/digital media in class unless you demonstrably need said device for learning purposes (i.e. taking notes, sharing an oral presentation for the class with classmates). They are a distraction for me, for your classmates, and for yourselves. I have found a remarkable correlation over the years: those students with headphones on and those students who text (and those who do both simultaneously) tend to perform more poorly than those that do not.
  • When emailing me (deane@suu.edu) please indicate which class you are in and what your name is (i.e. ANTH 3200, Jane Smith). 
  • Please feel free to ask questions and to express your opinions and thoughts in class, but please do so in a respectful and polite manner.
  • If you need to arrive late or leave early for some reason, please let me know beforehand if possible and try not to disrupt your fellow students when exiting or entering the room.
Course Policy on Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI
The use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Finding information on your research topic (but it is your responsibility to cross check and verify that information!).
  • Checking grammar and style.
The use of generative AI tools is NOT permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Coming up with an original research topic.
  • Impersonating you in classroom contexts.
  • Completing individual or group work.
  • Composing a draft of a writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs, or papers to complete class assignments.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). If using AI tools, it must be properly documented and cited to stay within university policies on academic honesty. Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will receive a zero in the assignment. If you are in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.

Attendance Policy

I do keep track of student attendance. If you know in advance that you will be unable to attend on a certain day, please notify me as soon as possible. You will be allowed 2 ‘free’ absences without penalizing your attendance grade.

Course Website, Special Events, and Field Trip

Finally, you are urged to make use of the course Canvas site to review lecture outlines (which I will post to the website after they have been delivered in class), to obtain the most recent and up-to-date list of readings, and to check for announcements of special events. At various points throughout the semester, I will inform you of cultural events and exhibits of potential interest. Depending upon funds there may be an optional field trip.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.