Archaeology

Regulations for all Archaeology Majors and Concentrators

Courses

It is recommended that archaeology students consider introductory courses in earth and environmental sciences, environmental biology, and/or chemistry for their Core Curriculum science requirement.

For information on upper-level graduate courses and courses in historic preservation, please see the program advisers. Decisions about upper-level, related, or seminar courses that are not on this list and their applicability to the major or concentration in archaeology should be made in consultation with the program advisers.

Graduate Study

Students intending to pursue graduate degrees in archaeology should be aware that a reading knowledge of two languages is often required as part of graduate study. Further, although language courses do not count toward the major or concentration, students are encouraged to acquire language training that is relevant to their particular interests in archaeology.

For a Major in Archaeology

The program of study should be be planned as early as possible with the program advisers, preferably before the end of the sophomore year, and no later than the beginning of the junior year. A total of 30 points within the major and 9 points of related courses are required for the major as follows:

1. The following introductory course:
   • ACLG V2028 Pasts, presents, futures: a critical introduction to 21st-century archaeology and either
   • ANTH V1008 The rise of civilization  or
     
   • ANTH V1007 The origins of human society
2. Two upper-level courses from different regions of the world, in addition to three other upper-level courses, planned in consultation with the program advisers.
3. Participation of four to six weeks in field projects with which Columbia University is affiliated, or independent study in excavation or other field projects; the school or project must be approved in advance by the program advisers.
4. One laboratory course in archaeology or its equivalent in the field, as approved by the program advisers; 3 points.
5. A seminar in archaeology, preferably taken in the senior year, to be decided with the advanced approval of the archaeology program adviser.
6. Nine points of related courses to be planned with the program advisers in accordance with the student’s interests.
7. A senior thesis is recommended for students planning to continue for a graduate degree. Topics should be discussed with a faculty adviser during the junior year, allowing time for planning, research, and travel during the following summer. In the senior year, the student may register for the senior thesis course with their adviser (e.g., ANTH W3997 or AHIS C3997–C3998 ) to cover the writing of the thesis, which must be submitted by March 25.

For a Concentration in Archaeology

The program of study should be planned with the program advisers.  A total of 21 points from within anthropology, art history and archaeology, and other approved departments, with no more than four courses being taken within any single department. Requirements for the concentration are as follows:

1. Any two of the following courses:
   • ANTH V1007 The origins of human society
   • ANTH V1008 The rise of civilization
   • ACLG V2028 Pasts, presents, futures: a critical introduction to 21st-century archaeology (previously listed as ACLG W3002)
2. Also one seminar or colloquium in the Departments of Anthropology, Art History and Archaeology, Classics, or History, as approved by the program advisers
3. Three upper-level courses, including at least one from two different regions of the world
4. One related course