From Atlantis to prehistoric extra terrestrials. From the mummy’s curse to psychic archaeology. The public imagination is filled with images of archaeology that range from the incredibly absurd to the downright disturbing. The purpose of ANP364: Pseudoarchaeology is to survey and explore the way  these ideas emerge and evolve in popular culture and public consciousness. More importantly, the class will explore why these ideas emerge and take root in popular culture and public consciousness.  In many ways, the underlying goal of this class is not only to deconstruct archaeological hoaxes and pseudo mysteries, but to explore how we can truly understand the past through science and rational inquiry.

OPEN ACCESS

This class adheres to the philosophy of open courseware and open access.  As such, all course materials are open and accessible to the public.  This includes all assignments (blog entries/responses, digital assignments.).  As such, students should think of themselves as not just taking a class, but as contributing to the pool of scholarship on pseudoarchaeology.

It is very important to note any student (at any time during or after the semester) can opt not to have their class materials (blog posts, research article, etc.) be open access.  Just talk to Ethan, and he’ll make it happen.  Its equally important to note that any student who chooses to do this will not be penalized at all.

D2L

We won’t be using D2L that much during class.  All of your assignments are done online, so there is nothing to “hand in” on D2L.  Also, all of the course announcements & discussions that you might normally find on D2L happen on the course blog — which is why you will always need to keep you eye on the blog (you might want to think about subscribing to the course RSS feed).  The only real thing that we’ll be using D2L for is the class gradebook.  You’ll be able to use it to see your grades (if you see something amiss with your grades, be sure to email Ethan ASAP)

BLOG

Blogs & blogging is a big part of this class.  Students are going to be using a blog (this site, in fact) to do some of your class assignments (check out the Assignments section of the site for more info on that).  Also, the course blog is going to be the primary way how your professor a will be communicating with you (outside of class).  All class announcements, info, etc. will be posted on the blog.  This means you’ll always need to keep your eye on the blog.

ASSIGNED TEXTBOOKS & READINGS

There is no required textbook for this class.  Instead, electronic readings (downloadable PDFs, websites, etc) will be assigned throughout the semester. Many of the online readings will be available through the MSU Library Electronic Resources System or accessible via MSU Google Drive (which will require your MSU Net ID to access). Refer to the Schedule for reading assignments.

It is extremely important to remember that all readings are mandatory for the class, and must be completed. Reading assignments will be included on the semester exams.

DUE DATES & SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS

Due dates are not negotiable. All assignments are to be submitted on their specific due date (refer to weekly schedule for exact due dates) If you know ahead of time that you are going to be away from a computer with an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to submit it before the due date if you don’t want to be penalized.

Only under extreme (and documented) circumstances will students be allowed to submit assignments after the due date without being penalized. Students who do not submit any of their assignments will be docked 15% for each 24 hour period for which it is late.

GRIEF ABSENCE

Students seeking a grief absence should be directed to the Grief Absence Request Form found on the RO home page (https://reg.msu.edu/) under ‘Student Services – Grief Absence Request Form’ OR to StuInfo (https://stuinfo.msu.edu/) under ‘Academics – Enrollment Information and Services – Grief Absence Request Form.’ Students will be asked to supply information on the nature of the loss, the date they became aware, and the expected period of absence. Once completed, the information is routed to the Assoc. Dean of the student’s college and must be received prior to the student leaving campus. The student will receive a confidential message confirming the submission and reminding them that supporting documentation must be provided and who to send it to. In addition, the appropriate dean’s office will be notified that a request has been submitted. Once the appropriate administrator has either approved or denied the request, the student will again receive a confidential message notifying them of the decision of the dean’s office. If approved, instructors will be notified by the appropriate dean’s office of the period of absence. Instructors are expected to arrange for students to make up the missed work.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

In accordance with Michigan State University’s policies on “Protection of Scholarship and Grades” and “Integrity of Scholarship and Grades,” students are expected to honor principles of truth and honesty in their academic work. Academic integrity means, amongst other things, not plagiarizing. Plagiarism includes submitting someone else’s work (words, ideas, etc.) as their own now will the knowingly permit another student to copy and submit their work. Additional discussion of academic integrity is available on the Ombudsman’s website: http://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/dishonestystud.html.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Article 2.3.5 of the Academic Freedom Report (AFR) for students at Michigan State University states: “The student’s behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned.” Article 2.3.10 of the AFR states that “The student has a right to scholarly relationships with faculty based on mutual trust and civility.” General Student Regulation 5.02 states: “No student shall . . . interfere with the functions and services of the University (for example, but not limited to, classes . . .) such that the function or service is obstructed or disrupted.

Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Faculty Judiciary process.”

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities may be made by contacting the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at 517-884-RCPD or on the web at rcpd.msu.edu. Once your eligibility for an accommodation has been determined, you will be issued a verified individual services accommodation (“VISA”) form. Please present this form to me at the start of the term and/or two weeks prior to the accommodation date (test, project, etc). Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

LIMITS TO COURSE CONFIDENTIALITY

Essays, journals, and other materials submitted for this class are generally considered confidential pursuant to the University’s student record policies. However, students should be aware that University employees, including instructors, may not be able to maintain confidentiality when it conflicts with their responsibility to report certain issues to protect the health and safety of MSU community members and others. As the instructor, I must report the following information to other University offices (including the Department of Police and Public Safety) if you share it with me:

• Suspected child abuse/neglect, even if this maltreatment happened when you were a child,
• Allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment when they involve MSU students, faculty, or staff, and
• Credible threats of harm to oneself or to others.

These reports may trigger contact from a campus official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like to talk about these events in a more confidential setting you are encouraged to make an appointment with the MSU Counseling Center.

REPORTING NON-ATTENDANCE

In compliance with federal regulations governing financial aid and veterans education benefits, instructors are required to report students who stop attending or who have never attended class. After the first week of classes, through the middle of the term of instruction, instructors who identify a non-attending student should notify their departmental office. Upon receiving a report of non-attendance, departmental representatives are encouraged to initiate an administrative drop.

Attendance is defined as physical attendance or participation in an academically-related activity, including but not limited to the submission of an assignment, an examination, participation in a study group or an online discussion. Instructors who do not take attendance may utilize key assessment points (e.g. projects, papers, mid-term exams, and discussions) as benchmarks for participation.

DROP FOR NON-ATTENDANCE

Students may be dropped from a course for non-attendance by a departmental administrative after the fourth class period, or the fifth class day of the term of instruction, whichever occurs first.

“Sego Canyon Petroglyphs, UT 8-26-12” by Don Graham is licensed under CC BY