6 Archaeology Certificate Programs

The archaeology certificate is designed to help students to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to analyze archaeological materials and to participate in archaeological field research. Students who complete the certificate, along with a B.A. or B.S. degree from UW–Madison, improve their competitiveness in graduate school applications and are qualified for entry-level employment opportunities in archaeology. In addition to providing a strong intellectual foundation in archaeology and hands-on experience in fieldwork, the certificate provides an interdisciplinary link to courses in three or more departments, exposing students to diverse approaches to the study of our global human heritage.

This course is an introduction to the methods and concepts that archaeologists use to explore the human past. It examines the nature of archaeological evidence, as well as the various methods employed in its recover and analysis. Examples will be drawn from around the world, illustrating the international scope of modern archaeology. The course also includes weekly laboratory exercises designed to provide some practical experience in archaeological research

Certain certificate programs contain 6000-level courses as requirements and/or electives. These 6000-level courses may not be taken by undergraduate students. Candidates must receive two-thirds of their certificate-applicable credit from the university. The transferring of credit or the substitution of courses may occur only after application to the appropriate campus authority.

This course offers an introduction the the rich archaeological record of North and South America. The latest finds indicate that the Western Hemisphere was inhabited at least 14,000 years ago, and during that time, a wide range of cultural adaptations emerged, including densely populated city states and empires. The goal is to explore these developments and so gain a deeper appreciation of first Nations culture history.

A survey of the archaeological record for northern British Columbia. Special topics include the initial settlement of the area by Native peoples and the subsequent rise of complex ranked socieities on the northern northwest coast. This course will include a field trip to visit a local archaeological site

This course offers a practical application of the methods and concepts that archaeologists use to examine the human past. Students will participate in a research-oriented archaeological field project and will develop skills in both archaeological site survey and excavation