Zooarchaeology: Jamaica Field School
COURSE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study away course include the following:
1. Students will learn how to process and prepare archaeological collections for curation. Students will also learn how to prepare comparative specimens for laboratory use. Finally, students will learn how to identify fish bone.
2. Students will become familiar with animal remains from coastal archaeological sites. Students will
spend a day snorkeling on a Jamaican reef as a way of better understanding the local resource base.
3. Students will live in a rural Jamaican community and participate in local Jamaican life.
COURSE FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES:
All instruction will occur in
Jamaica. "Class sessions” will consist of twelve 10-hour days of archaeological
fieldwork, lab-based artifact processing and curation prep as well as
instruction on the zooarchaeology of coastal foragers, including fish osteology
and the identification marine invertebrates. Students will also have several
days off to explore the local area.
COURSE CREDIT AND REQUIREMENTS:
Three measures will be used to
evaluate students. The first will center on student field notes. Field notes
are an important part of archaeological field work and are often crucial in
understanding and interpreting artifactual materials once in the lab
environment. The second will consist of several quizzes on the identification
of animal remains from coastal archaeological sites. The third will evaluate
their level of participation (willingness to work and level of cooperation)
during the project.
Required text:
A textbook is not
required.
Assessment of Learning:
Evaluation
will be based on participation in and completion of all academic requirements,
as follows:
• Exams, quizzes and activities
associated with the pre- and post-travel sessions
• Reflection journal
• Class discussion and participation
INTERESTED IN GOING?
CONTACT THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
Dr. Dave Byers
david.byers@usu.edu
435-797-1178