Description:

Explore the magnificent ancient civilizations of South America by taking a virtual tour of the spectacular ruins of the Inca, Moche, Nazca, Wari and many other prehistoric cultures. A consideration of South American archaeology in global context is addressed, as well as the plight of modern descendants.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Differentiate between the fields of anthropology and how archaeologists use the culture concept in studying the past. • Recognize, identify, and employ the scientific method in anthropology, and distinguish between coherent arguments based on such principles from other claims. • Assess the vast cultural diversity of prehistoric indigenous peoples of South America. • Describe how archaeological studies of South American Natives reveal characteristics of cultural behavior and explain how those behaviors have changed through time. • Distinguish between several broad prehistoric adaptations made by South American Natives. • Explain the relevance of archaeology to global issues, ethics, and cultural diversity. • Identify how colonial forces impact(ed) indigenous cultures and critique the plight of modern descendants.