Archaeology and Sustainability: Can the Past Inform the Future?
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Many academics, politicians, for-profit corporations, and some nation-states assert that we must achieve “sustainability” for the continued existence of life on earth. What does this specifically mean? What must be sustained and for whom? In this course we begin with considering definitions of “sustainability” and exploring the implications of seeking and achieving it. We will also consider the concept of resilience, which is often used in addition to or instead of the concept of sustainability. We will examine how we can employ human history in our efforts to understand and achieve sustainability. Using archaeological case studies from Mesoamerica, Greenland, Iceland, the U.S. Southwest and elsewhere we consider periods of social and environmental stability and change in our exploration of sustainability and ask, “What can be learned; can the past inform the present?” Readings will be provided from select book chapters, scholarly publications, and popular articles. Grading will be based on three papers (maximum of 5 double-spaced typed pages each). In the first paper, you will define sustainability (using your own definition or a definition identified by others) and argue why the definition you have selected is the most appropriate or useful. In the second paper, you will argue the strengths and weaknesses of using archaeologically known cases to inform our understanding of sustainability. In the third paper, you will select an archaeological case not discussed in class and identify and argue what can and cannot be learned about sustainability from the case.
Many academics, politicians, for-profit corporations, and some nation-states assert that we must achieve “sustainability” for the continued existence of life on earth. What does this specifically mean? What must be sustained and for whom? In this course we begin with considering definitions of “sustainability” and exploring the implications of seeking and achieving it. We will also consider the concept of resilience, which is often used in addition to or instead of the concept of sustainability. We will examine how we can employ human history in our efforts to understand and achieve sustainability. Using archaeological case studies from Mesoamerica, Greenland, Iceland, the U.S. Southwest and elsewhere we consider periods of social and environmental stability and change in our exploration of sustainability and ask, “What can be learned; can the past inform the present?” Readings will be provided from select book chapters, scholarly publications, and popular articles. Grading will be based on three papers (maximum of 5 double-spaced typed pages each). In the first paper, you will define sustainability (using your own definition or a definition identified by others) and argue why the definition you have selected is the most appropriate or useful. In the second paper, you will argue the strengths and weaknesses of using archaeologically known cases to inform our understanding of sustainability. In the third paper, you will select an archaeological case not discussed in class and identify and argue what can and cannot be learned about sustainability from the case.