Archaeology: Detectives of the Past

Course Description:

George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The field of archaeology helps us to better understand the events and societies of the past that have helped to shape our modern world. This course focuses on the techniques, methods, and theories that guide the study of the past. Students will learn how archaeological research is conducted and interpreted, as well as how artifacts are located and preserved. Finally, students will learn about the relationship of material items to culture and what we can learn about past societies from these items.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Archaeology: Detectives of the Past
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Particular Topics in Anthropology
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : eDynamic Learning
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Virtual
Standards Addressed : Common Core State Standards, National Collegiate Athletic Association, SEL Competencies and Indicators (CASEL)
Alignment Document : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V9kmaY2zqCmNViVUX2AXu_cgsaQZcUVgIGPdJ8u9zkA/edit?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Semester
NCES SCED Code : 04252
Subject Area : Social Sciences and History
Course Identifier : Particular Topics in Anthropology
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

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Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

None

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  • Discuss archaeology as a field of study
  • Differentiate between science and pseudoscience
  • Describe the relationship between archaeology and anthropology
  • Discuss the history and development of the field of archaeology
  • Demonstrate understanding of why archaeology is still relevant today
  • Analyze the many aspects of an archaeologist’s work
  • Discuss the career options of an archaeologist
  • List and understand the goals of archaeology
  • Discuss what culture is and how archaeologists reconstruct ancient lifeways
  • Describe how the archaeological record is used to date artifacts
  • Discuss the process of archaeological research
  • Demonstrate understanding of how preservation conditions affect the characteristics of a site
  • Discuss what each member of an archaeological team is responsible for
  • Describe the obstacles archaeologists commonly face during an excavation
  • Demonstrate understanding of the similarities and differences between a land excavation and an underwater excavation
  • Describe the characteristics of the five major time periods in which artifacts are classified: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age
  • Discuss the most significant archaeological discoveries of the past five hundred years
  • Demonstrate understanding of where the first people and culture originated
  • Discuss the societal importance of sustenance
  • Examine early laws
  • Investigate how trade routes encouraged expansion
  • Explore how language may have emerged over time
  • Demonstrate understanding of the fossil record
  • Discuss where the fossil record begins
  • Discuss the holes in the fossil record
  • Describe oddities found within the fossil record
  • Demonstrate understanding of how archaeologists use the fossil record to reconstruct human behavior
  • Discuss the four political classifications of societies
  • Show how settlement patterns help archaeologists draw conclusions about a society
  • Describe how social ranking emerged in ancient societies
  • Describe how burial practices differed based on societal status
  • Discuss how economic structures were defined in ancient societies
  • Discuss how the alphabet has evolved through the centuries and its significance
  • Discuss how maps are used to learn more about the societies they were created by
  • Demonstrate understanding of how ancient texts help archaeologists learn more about a society
  • Describe the different materials used to record text
  • Discuss important texts found by archaeologists
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role of cultural resource management (CRM)
  • Discuss how historic sites are preserved and restored in order to educate the public
  • Discuss the legal and ethical issues that guide the field of archaeology
  • Describe the effects of looting and the public measures archaeologists employ to discourage it
  • Relate the methods archaeologists use to share their findings with the public

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met
Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Fully Met
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Fully Met
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Fully Met
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Fully Met
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Partially Met Instructor role permissions within Michigan Virtual's learning management system permit instructors to add supplemental content and external resources both within lessons and announcements. Additionally, the learning management system permits online accommodations including text-to-speech tools, extended testing time, provision of multiple attempts, and scoring exemptions for extenuating circumstances. Course content is designed, however, to meet state and national content standards alignment and provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum to all enrolled learners, and therefore there are restrictions on instructor permissions to modify the scope and sequence of course assessments.
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Partially Met Michigan Virtual provides for flexible pacing and asynchronous delivery of its online course offerings. In order to maximize these opportunities for personalized learner preferences and flexibility concerning frequency or timing of individual learner availability or participation in courses during academic terms, with few exceptions, all course content is made available at all times throughout the term, and generally only midterm or final exams are password protected. Conditional release of content is intentionally avoided or used sparingly within Michigan Virtual course design and instructional delivery models.
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 11/22/2024

Unit 1: The World of Archaeology

Unit 2: Recording the Past

Unit 3: Unearthing Ancient Civilizations

Unit 4: Cultural Origins

Unit 5: The Fossil Record

Unit 6: Social Organizations

Unit 7: The Survival of Ancient Text

Unit 8: Public Archaeology & Modern Society

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/17/2025 01/03/2025 05/23/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/24/2025 01/10/2025 05/30/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/31/2025 01/17/2025 06/06/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/07/2025 01/24/2025 06/13/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/14/2025 01/31/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/21/2025 02/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/28/2025 02/14/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/