HIST 3000A/CLCV 3000: Introduction to Digital Archaeology
Fall 2021
Instructor: Prof. Shawn Graham
Introduction
Once the excavation is over, what happens to the information created through archaeological research? How do archaeologists use digital technologies on site, in the lab, or on the web? This course explores the intersection of digital technologies and computing with archaeology. We will explore the ways theory gets embedded into computation; perhaps there is even a theory of digital archaeology? We will explore how digital technologies allow us to ask questions that would otherwise be impossible to ask. We will also look into the ways that computational creativity in archaeology allow for novel engagements with the past, thus moving us into a digital _public_ archaeology.
Class format
This class will be delivered online, asynchronously. A Discord server will be used to provide a social context to our work, for help, and for collaboration. Learning materials will be curated on an open course website, and might include a variety of modalities. There will be no required synchronous chats or lectures. Students will maintain open course research notebooks on the web (which may be anonymous or pseudonymous).
Assessment
Final course assessment will be based on a summative ‘exit ticket’ exercise where the student demonstrates how their thinking has evolved over the duration of the course, with regard to the course learning objectives. Interim course work will be assessed through a process of formative feedback (rather than ‘grades’ that get added up at the end of the course).
Individual pieces of course work will involve trying to reproduce a published archaeological study from its open data and analytical scripts, and other various digital archaeology or digital humanities based approaches.
Weekly structure
Each week will follow the same basic structure of things to read/watch/listen to, things to do, things to record/reflect on. Not every week will contain the same amount of material. The term will be divided into rough modules that culminate in a major activity/assessment piece.
Text/Tech
To the best of my ability, all materials will either be open access materials on the web or materials made available to us through MacOdrum Library or the University. You will not be required to purchase any set text or software.
We will be using elements of the Open Digital Archaeology Textbook Environment https://o-date.github.io ; we may in fact re-write parts of it as a result of our work, in which case you will be credited as a co-author.
Having a reasonably up-to-date computer will make life easier for you; if you use a chromebook or a low-powered laptop (eg, less than 8 gb of RAM), this will require us to think creatively about some of the work, but should not present an insurmountable obstacle.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE ‘TECHY’
There is a natural digital inflection to this course. Nevertheless, you do not need to be ‘techy’ to be successful here. Digital archaeology is a team sport, and I expect students to help each other, discuss the work, and even collaborate as suits a particular situation.