Bibliographic Information
Article Title
Centering the Margins: Knowledge Production in the Introductory Archaeology Course.
Journal Title
Advances in Archaeological Practice
Author(s)
Quave, Kylie E., Shannon M. Fie, AmySue Qing Qing Greiff, and Drew Alis Agnew
Month of Publication
December
Year of Publication
2021
Volume Number
9
Issue Number
2
Article Pages
87–100
Web Address (URL)
Additional Information
Language
English
Notes
Abstract
Teaching introductory archaeology courses in U.S. higher education typically falls short in two important ways: the courses do not represent the full picture of who contributes to reconstructing the past, and they do not portray the contemporary and future relevance of the archaeological past. In this article, we use anti-colonial and decolonial theories to explain the urgency of revising the introductory archaeology curriculum for promoting equity in the discipline and beyond. We detail the pedagogical theories we employed in revising an introductory archaeology course at a small liberal arts college in the United States and the specific changes we made to course structure, content, and teaching strategies. To examine the impacts on enrolled students and on who chose to enroll in the revised archaeology curriculum, we analyze student reflection essays and enrollment demographics. We found that students developed more complex understandings of the benefits and harms of archaeological knowledge production and could articulate how to address archaeology's inequities. We also found that enrollment in archaeology courses at the college shifted to include greater proportions of students of color. These results support the notion that introductory archaeology courses should be substantially and continually revised.
Taxonomies
RPA Codes & Standards
- Appropriate Dissemination of Research
- Archaeologist's Responsibility to Colleagues, Employees, and Students
- Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
CIfA Codes
- Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
- Principle 5: Recognition of aspirations of employees, colleagues and helpers in all matters of employment
Keywords & Terms
- Equity and Representation; Discrimination and Harassment
- General Archaeological Ethics
- Integrity of Research Methodology and Field Procedures
- Professional Qualification
- Public Interest, Collaboration, Education, and Outreach
- Standards of Training and Student/Teacher Responsibilities
Topics & Issues
- Archaeological Education
- Archaeological Ethics - Other
- Careers in Archaeology
- Class in Archaeology
- Equity, Representation, and Diversity
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Ethical Responsibilities of Archaeologists
- Ethnicity in Archaeology
- Human Rights and Social and Economic Inequalities
- Interdisciplinary Research
- Privilege and Issues of Inclusivity
- Public Engagement, Outreach, and Education
- Race in Archaeology
- Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, and Other Forms of Discrimination
- Universities, Academia, and Student Training