Fall 2008, An 5060

Instructor: Prof. Britt Hartenberger
Department of Anthropology, WMU

Course description
In this course we will examine how to reconstruct gender in the past and how a knowledge of gender relations can widen our understanding of social differentiation and inequality in past cultures. We will begin by examining several critical issues including the beginnings of gender in early prehistory, the uses of feminism in archaeological research, and methods for reconstructing gender in the past. In the latter part of the course, we will move into topics that are particularly appropriate for a gendered archaeological approach, such as mortuary analysis, power relations, and household studies. Students may choose subjects relative to these topics that interest them for their presentations and research papers.

Required Texts
Nelson, Sarah Milledge. 2004. Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige. Lanham, MD, AltaMira Press. ISBN: 0-7591-0496-4.
and
Nelson, Sarah Milledge, editor. 2007. Women in Antiquity: Theoretical Approaches to Gender and Archaeology. Lanham, MD, AltaMira Press.  ISBN: 0-7591-1082-4.

A number of other articles will also be required reading. These will be posted in pdf format on the E-learning web site for our class and can be downloaded and/or printed out from there.

 

Resources

Open syllabus in pdf format

Go to WebCT/Vista page for course: (TBA)

 

General Information
M/W 3:30–4:45 pm
Moore Hall G0111
Questions? Office Hours: Tues 1-2pm, Weds 11-12pm and other times by appointment

Goals
Students will learn the differences between sex and gender, and the importance of an unbiased approach to studying men and women in the past. We will gain an understanding of the development of feminism and gender studies in archaeological research, and the methods by which gender can be examined via archaeology. We will learn how ethnoarchaeology and biological analyses can be used to help reconstruct cultural differences. Students will learn how to not only identify gender bias in archaeological research, but how to conduct research to examine gender differences with as little bias as possible. In studying case studies of gender research around a set of themes, students will gain an understanding of the contributions of gender to existing areas of study, areas in which they may wish to do further research themselves (particularly graduate students).  

See syllabus in pdf form (above right under "Resources") for complete schedule.

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