MADABA PLAINS PROJECT
TALL AL-`UMAYRI
ACADEMIC INFORMATION 2008
| The Madaba Plains Project - 'Umayri: sponsored by La Sierra University | |
|
In consortium with: Canadian University College School of Architecture, Andrews University Mount Royal College Pacific Union College Walla Walla University |
In cooperation with: The Jordanian Department of Antiquities The American Center of Oriental Research The Amman Training College Dr. Raouf Abujaber Mr. Jebril Abu Aishah |
Course Offerings
While you can register for credit once you arrive in Jordan (except for Andrews University and Mount Royal College), you should communicate in advance with the contact person listed for the institution through which you hope to obtain credit in order to register before the summer begins. Unless otherwise indicated, credits are undergraduate quarter hours. Some courses may require reading and research before and/or after the excavation season.
| La Sierra University | $185/quarter credit |
| Contact: Robert Bates - (951) 785-2462 - | |
| Course ID | Name | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH 315 | Cultural Anthropology | Undergrad | 4 |
| ANTH 325C | Peoples of the World: Middle East | Undergrad | 4 |
| ANTH 494 | Field Placement | Undergrad | 4-8 |
| RLGN 305 | Experiencing Religion in Three Cultures | Undergrad | 4 |
| RELB 494 | Fieldwork in Middle East Archaeology | Undergrad | 1-8 |
| RELB 545 | Biblical Archaeology | Grad | 4 |
| RELB 634 | Fieldwork in Middle East Archaeology | Grad | 1-8 |
| Andrews University | $575/semester credit (part of package) |
| Contact: Rhonda Root - (269) 471-3496 - | |
| All Andrews students must register in advance of the summer. | |
| Course ID | Name | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART 380/495 | Independent Topics/Research: Artistic Heritage of Jordan (Elkins) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ART 304 | Drawing: Archaeological Illustration (Elkins) | Undergrad | 3 |
| MDIA 275 | Special Topics: Adv. Digital Photography/Color II (Prest) | Undergrad | 3 |
| MDIA 485 | Travel Documentary (Sherwin) | Undergrad | 3 |
| MDIA 494 | Independent Study: Travel Photography/Adv. Photo (Ullom) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ARCH 299/499 | Independent Study (Root) - Choose below: | ||
| Archaeological Fieldwork | Undergrad | 6 | |
| Specific topic on architectural history of Jordan | Undergrad | 3 | |
| Architectural drawings | Undergrad | 3 | |
| ARCH 485 | Islamic Architecture (Root) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ARCH 485 | Jordanian Architectural History (Root) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ANTH 435 | Museum & Lab Methods (LaBianca) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ANTH 478 | Archaeological & Ethnographical:ÊPerspectives on the Middle East (LaBianca) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ANTH 496 | Supervised Fieldwork in Archaeology (LaBianca) | Undergrad | 6 |
| BHSC 235 | Culture, Place & Interdependence (LaBianca) | Undergrad | 3 |
| RELB 110 | Biblical Backgrounds (Mattingly) | Undergrad | 3 |
| Canadian University College | $244 Canadian/semester credit |
| Contact: Larry Herr - (403) 782-3381 - | |
| All Canadian University College students must register in advance of the summer. | |
| Course ID | Name | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RELB 485 | Archaeological Fieldwork | Undergrad | 3-9 |
| Mount Royal College |
$529.75 for ARKY 3317 $920.05 for ARKY 3319 |
| Contact: Julie Cormack - (403) 440-7012 - | |
| Prerequisite: ARKY 2201 Introduction to Archaeology ARKY 3315 Archaeology of the Levant |
|
| Course ID | Name | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARKY 3317 | Field Course in Archaeological Techniques I (3 weeks) | Undergrad | 3 |
| ARKY 3319 | Field Course in Archaeological Techniques II (5 weeks) | Undergrad | 6 |
| Walla Walla University | $100/quarter credit |
| Contact: Douglas Clark - (951) 785-2244 - | |
| Course ID | Name | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIST 490 | Archaeological Fieldwork | Undergrad | 1-4 |
| RELH 490 | Archaeological Fieldwork | Undergrad | 1-4 |
The book, Ancient Ammonites and Modern Arabs: 5000 Years in the Madaba Plains of Jordan, is required reading for any fieldwork credit. A copy will be sent to participants before the dig begins.
SYLLABUS FOR EARNING FIELDWORK CREDIT
OBJECTIVES
Through the academic dimension of the Madaba Plains Project we intend to encourage thoughtful inquiry and investigation into Jordan's past and to foster learning about archaeological theory and practice in the broadest sense as well as experiencing Jordanian culture, past and present. Hopefully the course structure and associated activities will accomplish these goals in the most responsible, integrative, and productive fashion for students.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CREDIT
Students wanting academic credit for participating in a Madaba Plains Project excavation will apply to the consortium school of their choice. Grades and tuition fees are to be arranged through that institution. For the sake of consistency, the requirements for the courses in archaeological fieldwork will cover the same basic topics for all students seeking credit, although modifications may be needed for specialization or elaboration in certain circumstances. Those in the field for only three weeks instead of the full five-week field season will only be expected to meet requirements available to them while they are in Jordan (including an orientation) and they will be treated accordingly. The final exam/evaluation will be graded, keeping in mind the distinction in requirements between undergraduate and graduate credits.
- Work Assignments:
- A large part of a student's grade will be determined on the basis of how well s/he has performed in the assigned task or work area. The field supervisors will have evaluation sheets with which to assess industry, accomplishment, quality of work, growth, and contribution to the project. It goes without saying that performance in one's work assignment is central to the success of the dig and to the entire learning enterprise in archaeology.
Lectures:-
There are two introductory lectures near the beginning of the project. They are noted below and will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 pm:
Tues 1 July - Archaeological Periods in Jordan and Surrounding Regions
Thur 3 July - Research Design of the Madaba Plains Project
In addition, we strongly encourage student attendance at lectures provided through the ACOR (American Center of Oriental Research) Lecture Series which cover current archaeological research, especially that which relates directly to MPP-`Umayri. Students earning credit for this summerÕs experience are required to attend at least two of the ACOR lectures. [This assignment depends on the ACOR schedule.]
-
There are two introductory lectures near the beginning of the project. They are noted below and will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 pm:
Learning Stations:-
The group will be divided into two smaller units which will cycle through two learning stations in the course of the field school. The sessions, which will take place from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on the designated dates, will allow for hands-on learning and participation in the function and contribution to the project of the many lab activities. The two stations are: 1) the eco-lab and pottery and objects processing and 2) documentation procedures -- computer and database and artistic renditions. The dates for visits to the learning stations are:
Tues 8 July - Ceramics, Lithics and Geology
Thur 10 July - Processing and Documentation
-
The group will be divided into two smaller units which will cycle through two learning stations in the course of the field school. The sessions, which will take place from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on the designated dates, will allow for hands-on learning and participation in the function and contribution to the project of the many lab activities. The two stations are: 1) the eco-lab and pottery and objects processing and 2) documentation procedures -- computer and database and artistic renditions. The dates for visits to the learning stations are:
Town Hall Meetings:-
Town Hall Meetings are also held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (see schedule below) from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and are required. Each session will synthesize results from a specific period of archaeological history represented on the excavation. Specialists in excavation, survey, objects, ceramics, fauna, flora, etc., will join together in a panel to address the broader issues, paint the wider picture, and observe how our present work ties together many lines of inquiry. Discussion, questions, and comments are encouraged and will add to the value of the sessions. Tentatively, the schedule appears as follows:
Tues 15 July - The Bronze Ages in the Madabe Plains
Thur 17 July - The Early Iron Age in the Madaba Plains
Tues 22 July - The Early Iron Age - Daily Life surrounding the Four-room House (meeting at the tell)
Thur 24 July - The Late Iron Age and Hellenistic Period in the Madaba Plains
-
Town Hall Meetings are also held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (see schedule below) from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and are required. Each session will synthesize results from a specific period of archaeological history represented on the excavation. Specialists in excavation, survey, objects, ceramics, fauna, flora, etc., will join together in a panel to address the broader issues, paint the wider picture, and observe how our present work ties together many lines of inquiry. Discussion, questions, and comments are encouraged and will add to the value of the sessions. Tentatively, the schedule appears as follows:
Final Take-home Exam/Evaluation:- The exam will assess the student's acquisition and synthesis of information growing out of lectures, visits to the learning stations, the town hall meetings, Ancient Ammonites and Modern Arabs, and, more generally, experience gained from the excavation and recording processes. It consists of 1) a set of essay questions drawn from the MPP lectures, Town Hall meetings, and learning station visits and 2) a final, more reflective and longer essay on what this dig was about, critiques of the dig (design and operation), and an assessment of the student's contribution to the larger enterprise.
GRADE
The grade for academic credit is determined by the school's representative through whom the student has applied for credit and will rest upon 1) the student's Field supervisor's assessment of work quality and experience; 2) attendance at all lectures, learning stations, and town hall meetings; and 3) the final examination/evaluation.
CHECKLIST FOR FULFILLING ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
At the end of a lecture or meeting, obtain the initials of one of the Madaba Plains Project Academic Program Coordinators (Doug Clark or Julie Cormack), or the person in charge of the program you attend, in the blank space preceding the meeting title. At the conclusion of the dig, give this sheet to the professor who represents the institution at which you are enrolled. Please bring this sheet to all required academic appointments.