Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ethical Grading of an Experimental Archaeology Course

After the first day of class, I further confirmed my opinion that grading a class like this is difficult.

The first day of class is usually informal and turns into a Q & A session. After providing the syllabus, discussing goals of the course, and discussing the textbooks, I thought things were pretty well spelled out.

One student complained about the work load (no more than 35 written pages divided up into several papers). I had to explain to him that written papers provide the most ethical way to grade students in an experimental archaeology class. I can't grade students on their ability to make an arrowhead, because making a "good" arrowhead can take months and years of practice. I only have a semester to teach them ceramics, fibers, and lithics.

Each student has different abilities and each will have success in different technologies. I cannot grade someone on the aesthetic quality of their finished product. I can grade someone on their ability to research and synthesize information.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Ancient Technology Round 2

Today is the first day of the new semester at BYU.

I start teaching Anthropology 207: Ancinet Technology today.

This time around I will try a few new things. I'd like to introduce some working with bone as well as more incorporation of theory. In other words, why are we making all of these things?

Hopefully, it won't be over the students' heads, but increased theoretical application would be ideal. Last year, the class had an "arts and craft" feel to it. While that's not entirely bad, I would like to see more of an academic and research emphasis.

Friday, September 01, 2006

The date for that last post is wrong

Sorry about that last date, yes, I began that post back in February, but just barely blew the dust off it and finished it.

Things have been very busy, and maintaining two blogs is often a time consuming process.

Updates are as follow:

Jan-April 2006, no classes, sat-in on a few classes, did a lot of field work (I still have the scars from the Green River survey incident). Passed the competency exams in March.

May-June 2006, was a crew cheif for the 2006 BYU field school, taught a few how to flintknap and make cordage. Got really sick of everyone in camp (as usually happens at field school). Also, when we were out in the middle of nowhere, we held a church service and I think I am one of the first modern mormons to flake an arrowhead in sunday school while the teacher applied a gospel analogy.

July 2006, more field work, and plenty of squandered time in front of the TV and playing video games

August 2006, chained to a desk writing reports, and then a three week trip to the UK. The museums over there were amazing. I miss seeing skeletons and burial goods on display, but what can you do?

Submitted our session papers to John Clark to read so that he can provide comments on our session. Hopefully, he doesn't rip us apart too badly.

September 2006, getting ready to teach the ex. arch class and possibly take a Global Imaging System class offered by the geography department (we'll see). I've decided to use different texts books this year for the ex. arch class. What a mess. The other two were pretty good, but I wanted to see if I could find better. Well, I was half right. The ceramics book is better, but the general technology book is worse.

The problem with most technology method books out there is that they are too new age, and worry about the mystique of replication rather than the scientific application of it.

Ideally, I should write a text book. Then I could use my own, and make my students buy it so that I get a small kick back. Ah, the life of an academic...

Anyway, it's something to think about for a side project.