Archaeology

The principal objectives of the graduate program in archaeology are to provide:

  1. Informed, critical examinations of core issues in archaeology 
  2. Comprehensive training in principal methods and theories of anthropologically oriented archaeology 
  3. Direction and support for Ph.D. candidates preparing for research and teaching positions in a wide variety of domains of archaeological practice. 

In addition to a primary area of specialization, all students are expected to acquire a basic understanding of archaeology around the world as well as general knowledge of those aspects of ethnography, and biological anthropology that have particular relevance to their area(s) of interest in archaeology. 

In certain cases, joint programs of study in archaeology and either biological anthropology or social anthropology can be arranged. The expectation is that the student will be able to complete the program in six years. 

Each student will have faculty advisors whose research interests overlap with those of the student. For the first four semesters student’s progress will be overseen by an Advisory Committee, normally consisting of three archaeology faculty members. After the fourth semester, a dissertation committee will be formed based on the student's domain(s) of specialization. 

The progress of each student will be assessed annually by the archaeology program faculty, and this appraisal will be communicated to the candidate. An overall B+ average is expected of the student. Ordinarily no student whose record contains an Incomplete grade will be allowed to register for the third term (semester) following receipt of the Incomplete.