Text Version

ANT 250: What you need to know first ...

Welcome to:

Principles of Archaeology

With Dr. Francis E. Smiley,
Professor of Anthropology

 

 

 

 

Please be advised:

This is a course on doing archaeology.

Doing archaeology is more fun than humans should be allowed to have, so don't say I didn't warn you.

 

Also be advised, there is no text to buy for the course.

 

I present all reading on line.

If you do feel the need to blow $60 to $100 on the course, no problem ... just go and buy a copy of Renfrew and Bahn 2000 (look up on Amazon.com). It is a tedious text. (A better use might be to just send the money to your favorite charity.)

In order to take this course, you must use WebCT, the overall application within which we present web instruction.

The login page for WebCT is https://webct.nau.edu/ and can be accessed anywhere through the Internet. I used it from motel rooms in Toronto (you, know, Canada?) last summer and it worked as if I were on campus.

If you have never used WebCT, don't worry. It is relatively easy to use.

On August 30, sign in to WebCT. (To sign in to WebCT, go to the link above and enter your DANA sign on and password.) The WebCT courses to which you have access will appear on the left side of your screen. Just click on ANT250 Fall (Principles of Archaeology).

Before the class begins, you need to make sure you have a few things on your computer.

Even before the first thing, before everything ...

It helps immensely in terms of your sanity and productivity to have a ...

Fast Internet Hookup ... I have worked unbelievably hard to make this couse rich in visuals, rich in video instruction, and packed with exercises that simulate real archaeological work. Check for verification with the CTEL people at NAU, whom I have driven nuts with wacky and difficult requests for help designing hands-on computer simulations for the course. The graphics, videos, and simulations will load quickly with a fast hook up and more slowly without one.

Do yourself a favor ... to do internet courses right, spring for the couple of bucks that a few months of good internet hookup will cost.

Or ... use the computers at labs all over campus ...

OR... use the many NAU Distance Learning labs out there across the state.

First: DANA. Know your DANA account and password. All mail in the course will be within the WebCT shell and will use your DANA account. If you don't know your DANA account, call the student help desk.

Second: Student Help Desk: The Help Desk is toll free 1-888-520-7215; or in Flagstaff at 928-523-9294; or email help@dana.ucc.nau.edu.

The help desk people have heard it all and they can really help you with any problems you encounter.

Third: We'll be using several websites that use Quicktime and/or RealPlayer. Most computers have these plug-ins as a standard feature. Check and see if the following work on your machine:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader: If you don't have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, get one now for free you'll need one for reading the articles on reserve in the library and lots of graphics and other readings on line.
  • RealMedia: You should also have RealMedia. The following link will take you to a short video on one of the Stelae (carved columns) at Copan, a classic Mayan site. Select the ISDN+ option if you have a high speed connection. Use the 56k link if you don't have a high speed modem. Copan RealMedia 56k Copan RealMedia ISDN+. If you have problems with Real Media, get a free copy of Real Player here.

Fourth: You should disable any anti-popup software. WebCT uses popup windows, and running anti-popup software can interfere with WebCT...

Fifth: WebCT works best with MS Word documents.  There will be several written assignments for this class, so you'll need to have access to MS Word.  Other formats (WordPerfect, ClarisWorks, Works) might still work for composing your written assignments, but you must Save as a Word Document before you try to attach it to a Mail Message. As a student registered at NAU, you can purchase a copy of Microsoft Office for $10.

That is one of the best computer software deals of the new century.

If you have trouble with WebCT and you are running Internet Explorer, you might have more success with Netscape. I have been told that WebCT runs best with Explorer; however, I have better luck with Netscape

Sixth: Please send me emails only through the WebCT system.

Classes start August 30. Please sign on that morning and review and print out your copy of the syllabus.

Helpful web address: The University Fall Academic Calendar: Click to see calendar for Fall 2004