Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - ARCH 365 D100

Archaeological Perspectives on Human Ecology (3)

Class Number: 7436

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ARCH 101 or ARCH 201; or any two of ARCH 100, REM 100, GEOG 100, EVSC 100; and 45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines methods, theories, and concepts for understanding how past cultures interacted with their bio-physical surroundings. Integrates diverse kinds of data and knowledge to understand these relationships. Topics to be addressed include local and traditional ecological knowledge, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, human-environment interaction, human-induced environmental changes, paleodiet, and domestication.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will examine methods, theories, and concepts for understanding how past cultures interacted with their bio-physical surroundings. Lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments will integrate diverse kinds of data and knowledge derived through archaeology, anthropology, ethnohistory, and historical ecology. A variety of case studies (presented in films, lectures, and readings) from throughout the world will be used to examine human-environment interaction, human-induced environmental changes, traditional ecological knowledge, hunting, gathering, fishing, and domestication. Methods used in reconstruction of paleoenvironments and paleodiet will also be disucssed. Students will be evaluated on the basis of two exams and a multi-component research paper.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Midterm exam (in class) 20%
  • Reseach paper (research proposal; progress update and annotated bibliography; final paper 40%
  • Final exam (in class) 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook for this course.  Weekly readings will be from electronic publications available through the SFU Library

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Deferred grades will be given only on the basis of authenticated medical disability.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.