Description
Exam Format
Answer the questions in the following essay prompt. Be sure to answer every part of the prompt. You may use approximately 700 words ( about 2 standard, double-spaced pages) for your answer. Your margins must be 1” all around, text must be double-spaced (not 1.5), and you must use a 12-point or larger font. Include your name at the top of the first page. Do not include the text of the question in your file.
Your essay doesn’t need a “standard” format (e.g., “5 paragraph essay format”). Be direct and answer the questions in the prompt. There’s no need for “In the beginning there was archaeology” sorts of introductions or concluding summary paragraphs that just reiterate what you already wrote. Just focus on writing clearly, answering the question directly, and making sure that your logic of argument makes sense.
Note that all essays will also be submitted to the Turnitin plagiarism checker for evaluation.
If you make a statement that should be cited (e.g., quote, specific fact, etc.), use the following format (author year of publication: page # (e.g., Renfrew and Bahn 2019:38). A reference page is unnecessary unless you cite something that was not assigned for class (which is discouraged). You do not need to cite lectures.
This is an ‘open-book’ exam, so you can use your notes, readings, and may review the lecture recordings and slide files as well. However, I expect each of you to write your own answers as you would for an in-person exam. Collaboration on the exams is not allowed. Collaboration includes discussing answers with another student before writing.
Grading
Essays will be assigned a letter grade based on the following criteria. Given the extended time frame available for the exam, grammar, organization, and proofreading will be taken into account. A point value (out of 50 points) is assigned to each grade by Bruin Learn, but this is for the convenience of final grade calculation. All exams are weighted equally through the quarter, and only your best four exam scores are used in calculating your final grade.
Grading Criteria
Content – You should fully answer each part of the prompt, properly use concepts from the course, and justify why particular concepts are relevant for answering the questions. – 80%
Writing – including grammar, proofreading, organization, and formatting – 20%
Unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor, any exam turned in past the due date and time will be immediately penalized 10%. An additional 10% will be subtracted every 12 hours past the due date and time. Missing exams will be assigned a 0.
When grading for the entire class is completed, grades and comments will be released on Bruin Learn.
Prompt
Answer 1 of the following 3 questions.
1. Define processual archaeology. Describe three goals and/or methods that distinguished it from culture history. Why does each goal/method improve archaeological research? Use examples drawn from the textbook and/or lecture to support your answer.
2. Summarize the postprocessual critique of processual archaeology. Describe two flaws of processual archaeology according to postprocessualists. What are two contributions of processual archaeology that are retained in most postprocessual studies? Use examples drawn from the textbook and/or lecture to support your answer.
3. Describe (in general, you may not know all the details, especially once objects leave your place of residence) how trash you dispose of at your current place of residence over the course of a normal month ends up in the archaeological record. Do all trash items experience the exact same formation processes? Do all the objects you discard end up in an archaeological context? Does any of your trash end up in a primary context? When does your trash get mixed with that of other individuals and households? Use the terminology of formation processes to describe these events/processes.
