The Major

The major in archaeology consists of 14 courses: eight in archaeological perspectives and methods (including three of Independent Study), plus six in one of the following areas of emphasis: anthropology, art, classical studies, history or geology.

The archaeological perspectives and methods courses are:

• Arch. 103 Introduction to Archaeology
• Arch. 219 Topics in Archaeology
• Anth. 110 Introduction to Anthropology
• Geol. 105 Geology of Natural Hazards
• Arch. 350 Archaeological Methods and Theory
• Arch. 401 Independent Study
• Arch. 451-452 Independent Study Thesis

The six courses in a student’s chosen area of emphasis must meet one or more of these criteria:

1. work with archaeological data or the physical context from which the data derive;
2. involve the acquisition of skills and techniques that contribute to the interpretation and understanding of material culture; or
3. contain material that relies heavily on archaeology to construct historical and cultural narratives of the periods studied.

A minimum of four courses in one category and two in a second is required. For a complete listing of the courses that can fulfill the area of emphasis requirement, see the Catalogue.

Majors who intend to engage in excavation as a significant component of their careers are encouraged to particiapate in an archaeological field school prior to the senior year. The College offers on occasion an archaeological field school as part of the Wooster Summer Session and encourages interested students to participate.With approval of the department chair, one or two course credits earned in the field school of another institution may be transferred and counted toward the major.