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Rice University
Introduction to Archaeology: Archaeology as Activism
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  3. Governance and Society
Rice University

Introduction to Archaeology: Archaeology as Activism

This course is part of Introduction to Archaeology Specialization

Molly Morgan

Instructor: Molly Morgan

Included with Coursera Plus

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6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

no background skills necessary

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

no background skills necessary

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials

Skills you'll gain

  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Research
  • Culture
  • Community Development
  • Liberal Arts
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Research Methodologies
  • Social Justice
  • Public History
  • Ethical Standards And Conduct
  • Ancient History
  • Social Sciences
  • Timelines
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Environment
  • Environmental Issue

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

26 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Archaeology Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 6 modules in this course

This course is the fourth and final course in a series on the discipline of Archaeology. It is intended for learners at all stages, including advanced high school, college students, or life-long learners. Basic information about Archaeology and its history are presented in the first introductory course. The second course teaches common scientific methods used in archaeological research. The third course focuses on forms of interpretation to reconstruct various aspects of the past through archaeological approaches. This final course covers contemporary social issues that archaeologists engage with.

Hey there! Are you curious about how archaeologists can use their research to make a positive impact on communities? If so, then our fourth course in the "Introduction to Archaeology" called "Archaeology as Activism" is perfect for you! 💡 In this course, we'll explore how archaeologists work alongside communities and other groups to improve the lives of people around the world. 🌍 You'll learn about the tools and knowledge archaeologists use to conduct research that positively impacts modern communities. 🔍 So, come join us and discover how archaeology can be a powerful force for change in the world today! 🌟

What's included

2 videos4 readings1 plugin

2 videos•Total 4 minutes
  • Meet The Professor•3 minutes
  • 1.0 Introduction to Archaeology as Activism•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
  • Discussion Forum Guidelines•10 minutes
  • Disability Accommodation Statement•10 minutes
  • Keys to Success 🔑•10 minutes
  • Archaeology as Activism Workbook 📖•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Discussion: Introduce Yourself•15 minutes

Hey there! Let's explore Activism as Archaeology, where every dig site tells a story that's not just ancient history but deeply intertwined with the present. In this module, we'll explore how archaeology isn't just about uncovering artifacts; it's about understanding the social, cultural, and political contexts that shape our past and present. We will also learn to be not just passive observers of the past but active agents of change! By using archaeology as a tool for justice, we're challenging the structures of racial injustice and building a practice rooted in anti-racism. Let's unearth the past, confront the present, and shape a better future together!

What's included

6 videos6 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

6 videos•Total 47 minutes
  • 2.0 Introduction to Archaeology as Antiracism•2 minutes
  • 2.1 Archaeology and A History of Racial Bias•10 minutes
  • 2.2 Scenes from "Archaeology In The Time of Black Lives Matter"•11 minutes
  • 2.3 Approaches to an Antiracist Archaeology•7 minutes
  • 2.4 Phases of Building an Antiracist Archaeology•7 minutes
  • 2.5 Case Study in Antiracist Archaeology: Greenwood District, Tulsa•7 minutes
6 assignments•Total 91 minutes
  • 2.6 Final Assessment•20 minutes
  • 2.0 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 2.1 Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • 2.3 Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • 2.4 Practice Quiz•30 minutes
  • 2.5 Practice Quiz•15 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Week 2 Finding an Example of Archaeology as Activism •60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Transforming Archaeology•10 minutes

Hey there! Are you interested in learning how past environmental systems can help us better understand our world today? Our study topic will delve into the fascinating realm of applied environmental archaeology, where we explore how archaeology research can inform current concerns about landscapes and climate change. Join us to discover how information about dynamic environments can be relevant and valuable for present people and explore culturally meaningful landscapes through the lens of historical research. Let's dive in!

What's included

5 videos5 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videos•Total 23 minutes
  • 3.0 Introduction to Dynamic Coastal Environments of The Past and Present•0 minutes
  • 3.1 Environmental Archaeology as Applied Archaeology•4 minutes
  • 3.2 Pacific Coastal Guatemala Today•5 minutes
  • 3.3 African Pastoralists Today•5 minutes
  • Contemporary Uses of Maya Cave Systems•6 minutes
5 assignments•Total 58 minutes
  • 3.5 Final Assessment•20 minutes
  • 3.1 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 3.2 Practice Quiz•8 minutes
  • 3.3 Practice Quiz•12 minutes
  • 3.4 Practice Quiz•12 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Week 3 Finding an Example of Archaeology as Activism•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Exploring the Cultural Significance of the Landscape: An Archaeological Perspective•10 minutes

Hey there! Have you ever wondered about the cultural heritage of our world?🏛️ These are the remnants of our ancestors' unique traditions, the tangible pieces of history that connect us to our shared past and must be safeguarded for generations to come. Archaeologists work with cultural heritage specialists, museum experts, public history professionals, and community groups to preserve our heritage for the future. Together, we can weave together the stories of the past, celebrate our diverse heritage, and ensure that these invaluable pieces of history remain intact for future explorers. 💼

What's included

7 videos1 reading7 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videos•Total 42 minutes
  • 4.0 Introduction Archaeological Sites in The Present: Cultural Heritage•0 minutes
  • 4.1 What is Cultural Heritage•5 minutes
  • 4.2 Museums and Public History Part 1•7 minutes
  • 4.3 Museums and Public History Part 2•5 minutes
  • 4.4 Communicating Results•4 minutes
  • 4.5 Community Based- Research•5 minutes
  • 4.6 Cultural Heritage Archaeology in Texas•12 minutes
1 reading•Total 35 minutes
  • 4.6 Uncovering the History of Enslavement: A Community-Based Archaeology Project at Varner-Hogg Plantation•35 minutes
7 assignments•Total 62 minutes
  • 4.7 Final Assessment•20 minutes
  • 4.0 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 4. 1 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 4.2 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 4.3 Practice •8 minutes
  • 4.4 Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • 4.5 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Week 4 Finding an Example of Archaeology as Activism•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • World Heritage in Danger•10 minutes

Get ready to unlock the secrets of time in archaeology! ⏳ In this module, we'll dive deep into the fascinating world of chronology – the backbone of archaeological understanding. 🕰️ So, why is chronology so crucial? If we want to understand how and why human societies changed over time, we need to know when things happened! That's where archaeologists come in, using various techniques to construct chronologies that help us order artifacts, sites, and events in time. From relative dating techniques like stratigraphy to absolute methods such as radiocarbon dating, we'll dive into archaeologists' tools to piece together the timeline of human history. Join us as we uncover the inner workings of these methods, their data, and potential limitations. 🌟🔍

What's included

6 videos6 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

6 videos•Total 41 minutes
  • 5.0 Introduction to Questioning Categories in The Past•3 minutes
  • 5.1 Progress•7 minutes
  • 5.2 Humanity•9 minutes
  • 5.3 Hierarchy •6 minutes
  • 5.4 Gender•9 minutes
  • 5.5 Oppression/ Inequality•6 minutes
6 assignments•Total 84 minutes
  • 5.6 Final Assessment •10 minutes
  • 5.1 Practice Quiz•6 minutes
  • 5.2 Practice Quiz•4 minutes
  • 5.3 Practice Quiz•4 minutes
  • 5.4 Practice Quiz•30 minutes
  • 5.5 Practice Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Week 5 Finding an Example of Archaeology as Activism•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Exploring the Importance of Unbiased Archaeological Interpretations of the Past•10 minutes

Congratulations on completing the fourth and final course in the Introduction to Archaeology specialization! 🎉 You have journeyed through an incredible specialization, delving deep into the fascinating world of archaeology from start to finish. 🌟 Throughout this course, we have honed our archaeological skills and reflected on the significance of our work in today's world. By embracing an ethical framework and striving to make positive impacts with our research, we have embraced the true essence of archaeology as a force for good. 💫 Whether you followed the specialization from the beginning or just joined us for this final chapter, your dedication to exploring the depths of archaeology is commendable. 🌍 Thank you for participating in this incredible past, present, and future exploration.

What's included

1 video2 assignments1 peer review

1 video
  • The Final Dig: Closing Remarks on Archaeology as Activism Closing•0 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
  • Project Self Evaluation•30 minutes
  • 6.1 Final Assessment•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Week 6 Project Conclusion - Finding an Example of Archaeology as Activism•60 minutes

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Instructor

Molly Morgan
Molly Morgan
Rice University
4 Courses•2,734 learners

Offered by

Rice University

Offered by

Rice University

Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

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