At the completion of the course, students will have a general understanding of the braod outlines of Southwestern prehistory, which will provide the context necessary to understand the current status and historical development of research in Southwestern archaeology.

Students will become familiar with current research in Southwestern archaeology, including knowledge of how theoretical approaches are applied by Southwestern archaeologists, and how theoretical perspectives affect decisions about fieldwork and laboratory analysis strategies.

The course will familiarize students with some of the most important historical figures and research projects in Southwestern archaeology, and how current research depends on the historic development of Southwestern archaeology.

Students will gain experience in effective communication by completing writing assignments, making oral presentations, and participating in classroom discussions.