The study of archaeology provides students with a unique opportunity to analyze ancient cultures from an interdisciplinary perspective. The interpretation of archaeological data requires a solid understanding of the variety of methods used for the study of material culture as well as a familiarity with those disciplines essential for understanding the development of human culture. Thus, the archaeology program provides students with a broad overview of the current state of archaeological research around the world, while at the same time encouraging students to specialize in specific methodologies, geographical regions and/or periods (for example, Archaeology of the Americas or of the Eastern Mediterranean, or Environmental Archaeology). The program seeks to emphasize the practical and intellectual value of archaeology as a means for better understanding our ancient past, as well as shedding light on our present circumstances and our prospects for the future by tracing the development of human culture and the interactions between various civilizations and the natural environment. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, archaeology is a quintessential Liberal Arts major that requires students to integrate their understanding of the natural and social sciences, the arts, and the humanities.
The archaeology major is designed both to teach students standard excavation and recording techniques, and to encourage the study of anthropology, art history, classical studies, earth sciences, history, religious studies, statistics, and a variety of other related fields. Students are also strongly advised to study one or more ancient or modern languages related to their geographical area of interest. For example, students of Syro-Palestinean or classical archaeology are well advised to study Hebrew, Greek, and/or Latin, in addition to French and/or German, that is, the languages in which much of the essential secondary literature is written. Finally, Archaeology majors are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities for travel and foreign study offered by Willamette programs around the world, but especially in places that offer coursework and/or fieldwork in local archaeology.
Willamette University's Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (CASA), established in 2007, provides archaeology students with significant resources including grants to fund field experiences or museum internships at Willamette’s Hallie Ford Museum of Art. In concert with CASA, the Salem Society of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), also located at Willamette University, offers a dynamic annual lecture series that enables students to interact with internationally renowned archaeologists on a formal and informal basis. The Willamette University Archaeology Field School at the Ness of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands of Scotland provides an amazing opportunity for intensive, on-site training in archaeological methods and techniques.
Requirements for the Archaeology Major (48 semester hours)
Common Core (20 semester hours)
- ARCH 137 Introduction to Global Archaeology (4)
- ARCH 337 Archaeological Theories and Methods (4)
- ENVS 121 Earth System Sciences (4)
- ENVS 250 Geographic Information Systems (4)
- ENVS 391W Archaeological Geology (4)
Statistics Requirement (4 semester hours from the following)
Field Experience (4 semester hours from the following)
Senior Year Experience (4 semester hours)
- ARCH 499 Archaeology Senior Thesis Seminar (4)
Electives (16 semester hours)
Students are encouraged to develop a chronological, regional or methodological focus among their electives. Listed below are approved electives, divided into three emphases designed to offer students depth as well as breadth in their archaeological studies. Students are free to design an individual course of study with the assistance of the student’s major advisor. The student’s major advisor can also approve additional electives not listed below. Such electives may be relevant transfer courses, relevant courses from approved study abroad programs, or other Willamette courses related to the student’s regional or methodological focus.
Archaeology of the Americas Emphasis
- ANTH 235 Cultures of Mexico and Ecuador
Eastern Mediterranean Emphasis
- ARTH 105 Introduction to the Art History of the Stone and Bronze Ages
- ARTH 106 Introduction to the Art History from Ancient Greece to the Roman Republic
- ARTH 107 Introduction to Art History from the roman Republic to the Byzantine Empire
- ARTH 108 Introduction to Art History of the Western Middle Ages and Islam
- ARTH 259 Medieval Art and Architecture
- ARTH 270 Roman Art and Architecture
- ARTH 271 Greek Art and Architecture
- CLAS 231W Myth and Cult in the Ancient East Mediterranean
- CLAS 250W Greeks, Romans and Barbarians
- HIST 231 Greek History From Homer to Alexander
- HIST 233 Asian Empires on the Silk Road
- HIST 251 Rome: From Republic to Empire
Environmental Archaeology Emphasis
- BIOL 246 Human Anatomy
- BIOL 345 Ecology
- CHEM 230 Environmental Chemistry
- ENVS 333 Biogeography
- ENVS 345 Aerial Methods in Field Research
Open Electives
Requirements for the Archaeology Minor (24 semester hours)
Common Core (16 semester hours)
- ARCH 137 Introduction to Global Archaeology
- ARCH 337 Archaeological Theories and Methods
- ENVS 121 Earth System Science
- ENVS 391W Archaeological Geology
Electives (8 semester hours from the following)
- ARCH 355 Archaeology Field School
- ARCH 394 Internship in Archaeological Studies
- ARCH 390 Independent Study
- ARTH 105 Introduction to the Art History of the Stone and Bronze Ages
- ARTH 106 Introduction to the Art History from Ancient Greece to the Roman Republic
- ARTH 107 Introduction to Art History from the roman Republic to the Byzantine Empire
- ARTH 108 Introduction to Art History of the Western Middle Ages and Islam
- ARTH 202W Introduction to Art Museum Studies
- ARTH 259 Medieval Art and Architecture
- ARTH 270 Roman Art and Architecture
- ARTH 271 Greek Art and Architecture
- BIOL 246 Human Anatomy
- BIOL 345 Ecology
- CHEM 230 Environmental Chemistry
- CLAS 231W Myth and Cult in the Ancient East Mediterranean
- CLAS 250W Greeks, Romans and Barbarians
- ENVS 250 Geographic Information Systems
- ENVS 345 Aerial Methods in Field Research
- HIST 231 Greek History From Homer to Alexander
- HIST 233 Asian Empires on the Silk Road
- HIST 251 Rome: From Republic to Empire
Indicators of Achievement
The Student Learning Outcomes of the Archaeology Program include
- Broad Overview of the Current State of Archaeological Research Around the World (i.e., archaeological literacy, as evidenced by the acquisition of basic geographical, cultural, and historical data)
- Familiarity with Disciplines Essential for Understanding the Development of Human Culture (as evidenced by the acquisition of appropriate critical terminology as well as the acquisition of basic disciplinary tools of analysis)
- Understanding the Variety of Methods used for the Study of Material Culture (as evidenced by the development of interpretive skills or hermeneutic practice)
- Integration of Understanding of the Natural and Social Sciences, the Arts, and the Humanities (as evidenced by the ability to engage meaningfully in an interdisciplinary scholarly dialogue, i.e., metacriticism)
- Specialization in a Specific Methodology, Geographic Region, and/or Period (as evidenced by the acquisition of appropriate research tools for in depth analysis in a specific area of interest)
- Archaeological Writing (as evidenced by the application of methodologies and interpretive tools in arguing a thesis)
Faculty
- Scott Pike, Professor of Environmental Science and Archaeology, Environmental Science
- Ann M. Nicgorski, Professor of Art History and Archaeology, Faculty Curator, Hallie Ford Museum of Art,
Faculty Emeriti
- David McCreery, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies,
Staff
- Reyna Meyers, Administrative Program Coordinator​
Course Listings
ARCH 137 Introduction to Global Archaeology (4)
This course provides an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of modern archaeology. Through this course, students will be introduced to the history, theories, methods, and broader social contexts of material culture studies in the investigation of human past. The course serves two functions. First, it provides a survey of important archaeological discoveries from around the world, placing the finds in both archaeological as well as contemporary social contexts. Second, the course demonstrates the theoretical and methodological developments of the discipline over the past century by introducing the different kinds of information that archaeologists use to interpret the past.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Nicgorski, Pike
ARCH 199 Topics in Archaeology (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 299 Topics in Archaeology (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 337 Archaeological Theories and Methods (4)
This course examines the broad humanistic foundations of global archaeology through an in-depth study of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of archaeological research. The course studies how material culture is archaeologically theorized, located, investigated, and evaluated to gain insight into past human activities and social practices, with an emphasis on the diversity and interdisciplinarity of archaeological methods.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Prerequisite: ARCH 137
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 355 Archaeology Field School (4)
This four- to six-week summer archaeology field school provides intensive, on-site training in the archaeological methods and techniques in conjunction with the Ness of Brodgar archaeology project. The course is run in cooperation with Orkney College, The University of the Highlands and Islands. The Ness of Brodgar site is a Neolithic ceremonial complex situated on a thin promontory between two lakes and the megalithic stone circles of the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness. The field school emphasizes a holistic approach to archaeological inquiry. As such, in addition to daily instruction on excavation theory, technique and recovery, course lectures and fieldwork will emphasize a variety of topics including topographical and geophysical survey techniques, stratigraphy, ceramic topology, geomorphology, paleobotany, and the archaeology of the Orkney Islands. Visits to regional archaeological sites and museums will provide a broad cultural and historical background of the archaeology in the region.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities; World Engagement: CV, Study Abroad
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Pike
ARCH 390 Independent Study (1-4)
This course provides an opportunity to conduct a major research project which cannot be satisfied through any existing course in the major’s curriculum. The project must be supervised by a Willamette faculty member. Proposed projects must be submitted to the Archaeology Program Coordinator and must be approved by the Archaeology Program’s core faculty.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Offering: On demand
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 394 Internship in Archaeological Studies (1-4)
This course is designed to promote student involvement in the community and to create opportunities for students to conduct archaeological investigations. The faculty-supervised internships will provide students with opportunities to interpret archaeological data within a professional context. Interns will be placed in organizations utilizing archaeological skills in academic or non-academic settings including government agencies, cultural resource management firms, non-profit organizations, tribal governments and museums. Interns are expected to work 12 hours a week, meet regularly with the instructor and write a final research paper that concerns some aspect of the material culture that was processed during the internship.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Offering On demand
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 399 Topics in Archaeology (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 429 Topics in Archaeology (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Archaeology. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Instructor: Staff
ARCH 499W Archaeology Senior Thesis Seminar (4)
This capstone course is dedicated to the process of research and writing of the senior thesis for Archaeology majors. It consists of weekly meetings in which students discuss readings about current topics in archaeology as well as interpretive issues directly related to their specific thesis projects. The course includes in-class workshops related to library research, writing, citation, illustration, and, if needed, specific methods such as photography, technical drawing, or pXRF analysis. Students are required to meet specific deadlines for partial drafts of their thesis, which will be read and critiqued by the thesis advisor(s). At the end of the course, the students are also required to make a formal presentation of the most significant aspects of their research.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Prerequisite: Senior standing or by permission
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Nicgorski