Anthropology BA Archaeology
Program Purpose
The purpose of the archaeology program is to provide students with a holisitic perspective on the diversity of human experience throughout time. Archaeology students learn how human societies and the environments they live in have changed and developed over time, and how knowledge of past developments can help people today develop strategies for dealing with current and future challenges. Students also gain an appreciation for the creativity and diversity of humankind over time through courses on the peoples and cultures of the world, past and present. Students also learn how to do archaeology through courses on the theories and methodologies of archaeology and hands-on archaeological research experience. The archaeology curriculum provides a broad liberal arts education that teaches students to think, research, analyze, make persuasive arguments, and write-skills that prepare students well for almost any profession. Students who choose to pursue careers in archaeology are also prepared with the knowledge and experience they need.
Curricular Structure
Catalog Information
Major Academic Plan
Learning Outcomes
Professional Communication
Graduates will have the oral and written communication skills to be effective professionals, leaders, and to serve their communities.
Graduates will have knowledge of the diversity of human culture throughout the world and time and practice Christ-like love for all people, which comes from our common heritage as children of God (Malachi 4:5-6).
Graduates will be able to think critically, apply anthropological theory and appropriate research methods. They will gather, process, and interpret archaeological data and be able to transfer those research skills to increase our knowledge and serve God's children (D&C 124:26).
Inspired by faculty mentors, students will be able to conduct original, high-quality research and disseminate results through senior theses, presentations, reports, published articles, and other products. Students will learn to seek and recognize inspiration in these pursuits.
In preparation to serve, uplift, and edify others, graduates will continue life-long learning and teaching, which are integral to our gospel heritage and covenants. They will be guided by the commandment to "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:80, 112).
Evidence of Learning
Assessment tools including faculty evaluations of individual student portfolios at the completion of the capstone sequence.
Student advisement during program.
Four capstone courses that include student performance in an on-site archaeological field school, a follow-up artifact analysis laboratory, and a senior thesis course that requires both an oral presentation and written thesis demonstrating the student's application of learned and applied knowledge.
Exit surveys of graduating seniors.
Alumni surveys of previous graduates.
Direct Measures
1. Graded course work such as exams, written assignments, projects, and field work (Examples of graded student products representative of the range of grades are kept on file.)
2. Semi-annual reports on student progress by the faculty advisor.
3. Student accomplishments in obtaining ORCA grants, publications, awards, etc.
4. Graduates' success in obtaining employment or admission to graduate programs.
Indirect Measures
1. Senior exit surveys
2. BYU alumni surveys
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
Data documenting the assessment measures is analyzed and summarized by the curriculum coordinator and presented to the faculty each year. From ensuing discussions, decisions are made by the faculty for revising the curriculum and improving student learning.
Surveys of graduating seniors are also utilized to discuss suggested improvements to the program.
We attempt to track all graduating students to monitor their acceptance into graduate programs, employment venues, as well as their program satisfaction after a lead time out of our department, given their experiences post the BYU undergraduate archaeology program.