Exam (25% of class grade): There will be one exam (a midterm). It will consist of 3-5 essay topics from which you will select and answer 2 that will account for 75% of the exam total. The essays will be graded on (1) how well the general themes from the readings and discussions have been integrated into a cohesive essay, and (2) how well the specific facts (names, places, dates, etc.) have been assimilated and used effectively in the answer. The remaining 25% of the exam will be bone identification.
Discussion/Weekly summaries (25% of class grade): Participation in class discussion is required. In order to help you prepare for each week’s discussion, you will be required to turn in a one-page typed summary (total of 1 page) of the key topics in that week's readings along with 3 (three) questions or topics from the readings that you’d like to discuss. If you miss a class for any reason, the written summary still must be turned in within one week. As noted below, you should also think of this assignment as a way to begin preparation for your term paper.
Bone Quizzes (25% of class grade): You will be given 10 quizzes on bone identification and coding. You will need to spend extra time during the open lab hours studying the bones in order to do well on the quizzes. You will only be allowed to make-up 1 bone quiz during the semester.
Research Project (25% of the class grade): A 10-15 page term paper that summarizes your research is required. A list of topics was provided on the first day of class (you can get another copy at the Final page). All aspects of the format of the paper must follow the American Antiquity style guide. The research project will be required to have three primary components: 1) development of a zooarchaeological research project including a review of the relevant literature and integration of the materials covered in the texts with that covered in the outside readings, and 2) collection and analysis of faunal data, 3) preparation and presentation of a written summary.
In preparing the term paper, there are several points to keep in mind. First, you will be doing a good deal of assigned reading this semester and you should incorporate and cite as much of it as possible into your paper. Second, be sure you think about the four components of the paper (research/scholarship, organization/clarity, writing/spelling/proofreading, and format) when you are preparing your manuscript. The following summarizes what I’ll be looking for when I grade your projects, and you should think about them as you prepare the manuscript and poster:
1) Research/Scholarship: How thoroughly has the material in the paper been researched in terms of the published literature? Has the relevant literature been consulted and integrated into the paper? Is there evidence that you’ve done any digging (beyond the class assignments ) in the library, inter-library loan office, etc.? Are the sources of ideas, quotations, data, illustrations, and so forth cited fully? How well have you been able to integrate your research with the materials covered in the class to form a cohesive paper? How well have you covered the topic, and is it clear that you’ve thought about the materials you’ve read?
2) Organization/Clarity: Is the paper well organized, is there a clear narrative/conceptual unity to the paper? Are the section headings useful and informative? Is the thesis, or central point of the paper clearly stated and explained? Are there sections of the paper that should be expanded/clarified? Are there parts that are wordy, rambling, redundant, or irrelevant that should be omitted or rewritten. Are tables and figures used effectively? How well does the content of the paper reflect the content of the class (I don’t care how well written or how brilliant the paper is, if it does not reflect the specific materials we’ve worked with throughout the semester, it will not receive a very high grade)?
3) Writing/Spelling/Proofreading: Is the paper written in clear, concise, understandable English? Does it contain complete sentences and is it free of spelling errors and typos? Does it look like its been proofread or just ripped from the printer, stapled together and turned in? Spend time looking over the penultimate draft of the paper before you turn the final version in for a grade.
4) Format: Aside from the requirement to provide a translation of the abstract in Spanish, you will be expected to follow the specifics of the American Antiquity format to the letter! This includes such things as the format for references cited, the organization of headings, page numbering, abstract content, order of materials, use of metrics, and so forth. Read the style guide before you start and consult it as you prepare the manuscript. For additional information on format consult the Chicago Manual of Style.
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