The Megiddo Expedition > Dig Megiddo 2010

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Dig Megiddo 2010

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Dig Megiddo 2010
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   Introduction

- Educational Program -

   Excavation Schedule

   Expectations

   Social Life

   Applications Forms

Dig Megiddo 2010 > Educational Program

9, 6, or 3 Credits from Tel Aviv University

Overview

The program aims to integrate the excavation experience into archaeological theory and into contemporary archaeological and historical knowledge of Megiddo, the Jezreel Valley and the wider region. Field trips are included for registrants.
Those not registered in the courses for credit will be required to attend certain lectures in order to learn how to handle finds properly.

Credit and Tuition

Each course carries 3 credits from Tel Aviv University. Tuition fees are $125 per credit point

($375 per course). A reduction is available for consortium students, for whom tuition fee is $110 per credit point ($330 per course). Responsibility for the transfer of credit to the home institution rests with the student.

Course Credits: A student can earn up to 6 credits in any one Session or 9 credits if attending both Sessions.

If you wish to attend any of these courses for credit please make sure that you fill in the Credit Course Registration Form (this is in addition to the Application Form for the Excavation).

Three Week Session (June 15 - July 03)

Course 1:0392-02: Problems and Issues in the Archaeology of Israel and Neighboring Lands (36 hours, 3 credits)

Course 2:0393-02: Methods and Techniques in Field Archaeology (36 hours, 3 credits)

Course 3:0393-04: Text and Artifact: The Relationship of Archaeology to History (graduate seminar, 3 credits)

Four Week Session (July 05 - July 31)

Course 1:0392-02: Problems and Issues in the Archaeology of Israel and Neighboring Lands (36 hours, 3 credits)

Course 2:0393-02: Methods and Techniques in Field Archaeology (36 hours, 3 credits)

Course 3:0393-04: Text and Artifact: The Relationship of Archaeology to History (graduate seminar, 3 credits)

Auditing: Course 1:0392-02 and certain lectures from Course 2:0393-02 may be audited freely.

Course Outlines

Course 1: Problems and Issues in the Archaeology of Israel and Neighboring Lands (36 hours, 3 credits)

This course will survey selected topics within the archaeology of ancient Israel and its neighbors. Problems and issues discussed will deal primarily with the Bronze and Iron Ages, with special emphasis on biblical times. We will highlight significant problems, current debates, and ongoing controversies, taking into consideration historical, cultural, military, and economic processes and events that affected ancient Canaan and Israel.

Requirements: attend classroom sessions, read and discuss required reading material, tour another current excavation, write a 250-word critique, and take a final exam. Graduate students will, in addition, submit a paper within two months of the season's end.

Study Tour: This takes place on the second Friday of each session, beginning at 7AM.

Final Grade: For undergraduates, final exam, 50%; a critique of an article, 25%; participation, 25%.

Graduate students: final exam, 20%; critique of an article, 10%; participation, 20%; final paper (10 pp), 50%.

Course 2: Methods and Techniques in Field Archaeology (36 hours, 3 credits)

This course will train the student in modern field archaeology. The aim is to enable the student to acquire and develop the skills required for excavation. Emphasis is placed on basic field technique and strategy, stratigraphic analysis, documentation and chronological tools. These skills will be taught in the lecture hall and in workshop groups in the field. An in-depth study tour of another active excavation will be provided.

Topics to be discussed: Stratigraphy, the grid system, surveying, top plans, section drawing,

writing field reports, ceramic typology, dating techniques, archaeozoology, computer applications, techniques of archaeological survey.

Requirements: attend classroom sessions; participate in five workshops; receive on-site instruction from supervisors in the field; read and discuss required readings; tour another active excavation; write a final report.

Readings: Readings will be distributed to registered students on their arrival at the site. Students must be prepared to discuss them as assigned.

Study Tour: This will take place on the second Friday of each Session, starting at 7AM.

Final report: Students will submit a formal report on the square in which they have been excavating at the end of the course. The report will consist of schematic top plans, a section drawing, description of the loci, elevations, a daily record and a stratigraphic summary.

Final grade: final report, 50%; classroom participation, 25%; on-site application of skills, 25%.

Course 3: Text and Artifact: The Relationship of Archaeology to History (graduate seminar only, 3 credits)

Focusing on Israel in the Iron Age, the course addresses the problematic of the relationship of archaeology to history: In what ways should historical archaeology differ from prehistoric archaeology? How does evidence from material culture weigh in a dialogue with textual information? Specific case studies involve the impact of world empires on society and culture.

Requirements: discussion of the readings; a final paper submitted no later than September 30.

Readings: Readings will be distributed on site. Students should bring a Hebrew Bible or translation.

Final grade: participation, 50%; final paper, 50%.

The six areas under excavation

The Megiddo Expedition is undertaken under the auspices of Tel Aviv University, in conjunction with The George Washington University as Senior Consortium Member and Loyola Marymount University and Vanderbilt University as Consortium Members. The Expedition is directed by Israel Finkelstein and David Ussishkin (Tel Aviv University), with Eric Cline (The George Washington University) serving as Associate Director (USA).