Courses – UMW Archaeology Lab

Current students at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) who are interested in archaeology can enroll in method and theory courses that provide a strong foundation in contemporary archaeological practice.

Learn more about how to design your course load for a career in archaeology.

Courses Offered in Archaeology

Courses in archaeology method and theory are offered through the Department of Historic Preservation and the Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion at UMW. Students interested in archaeology, particularly American archaeology, are encouraged to major in Historic Preservation, while students interested in archaeology of the Mediterranean world are encouraged to consider a dual major in Classics.

Besides the classes listed below, students can increase their archaeological focus through special topics courses and faculty-guided studies that are offered periodically based on availability and interest (CLAS 351, CLAS 485, and CLAS 491; HISP 471 and HISP 491). Students must make arrangements with a faculty member in their area of interest to enroll in directed and independent research courses such as CLAS 491, HISP 491, or URES 197.

Students are strongly urged to pursue internships, volunteer opportunities, and for-credit applied research projects that provide in-depth, directed experience in archaeological fieldwork and labwork. To learn more about how to get involved as well as current opportunities, visit our Volunteers and For Students pages.

Historic Preservation

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HISP 207: American Archaeology

Semester Offered: Spring
Prerequisite: None

Introduction to field and laboratory methods and interpretive issues of North American archaeology, with emphasis on historical archaeology.

HISP 308: Cultural Resource Management

Semester Offered: Variable
Prerequisite: HISP 100 or HISP 207

Examination of how historic preservation services are provided in legal and contractual contexts within the public sector. Topics include resource assessment, organizational management, proposals and budgets, and ethics.

HISP 462: Laboratory Methods in Archaeology

Semester Offered: Fall
Prerequisite: HISP 207

Laboratory procedures for the processing, identification, analysis, and interpretation of artifacts, with emphasis on quantitative analysis and collections management.

HISP 467: Field Methods in Archaeology

Semester Offered: Summer
Prerequisite: HISP 207 or permission of instructor

Fieldwork-intensive introduction to the techniques for sampling, excavating, recording, and interpreting archaeological sites.

HISP 471J: Field Methods in GPR

Semester Offered: Fall
Prerequisite: HISP 207 or permission of instructor

Field- and lab-based methodology for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) applications in historic preservation.

Classics

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CLAS 305: Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology

Semester Offered: Variable
Prerequisite: ARTH 114

Using the methodologies developed by archaeologists and art historians, this course will examine the artistic and architectural traditions of Egypt and the Near East from the prehistoric through the Greco-Roman periods. Cross-listed as ARTH 305.

CLAS 380: Archaeology in the Greek and Roman World

Semester Offered: Variable
Prerequisite: ARTH 114 or CLAS 103 or CLAS 105

Study of the archaeological excavation of the Greek and Roman world, with emphasis on the history, techniques, and ethics of classical archaeology.

CLAS 390: The Ancient City

Semester Offered: Variable
Prerequisite: ARTH 114 or CLAS 103 or CLAS 105

The growth and development of selected urban centers in the Greek and Roman world, with emphasis on the archaeological record.

Students in FSEM 100: Experimental Archaeology flintknapp on Jefferson Squre

Related UMW Courses in Other Disciplines

UMW offers a wide range of method and theory courses in other departments that are key to developing a strong, interdisciplinary grounding for students interested in archaeology. Students who plan to pursue a career in archaeology beyond UMW are strongly encouraged to consider the courses listed below for elective, dual major, and/or minor credit: