Fall 2025 - ARCH 374 D100
Research Design in Archaeology (4)
Class Number: 4633
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
David Maxwell
dma50@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
ARCH 101 (or ARCH 201). Recommended: ARCH 282 (or ARCH 372) and ARCH 271.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to writing a research context, creating research questions, developing hypotheses, collecting, recording and analyzing data to address hypotheses, and report writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is designed to teach students how to create research projects. Students will learn how to write a research context, to create research questions, to develop hypotheses to address these questions, to collect and record data required to address research questions, and finally to use these data to test hypotheses.
The term project will require students to create a workable research design and implement it as a pilot study. This means students will create their own research questions and hypotheses, collect and record data, and use these data to test their own hypotheses to answer their own research questions. The pilot study can be on any topic in archaeology of the student’s choice; however, projects that involve hands-on data collection using archaeological (or modern garbage) collections are preferable. Projects can also involve subject interviews, if this is more appropriate to the student’s goals.
Grading
- Short Assignments (3 @ 10% each) 30%
- Research Context 20%
- Class Presentation 10%
- Final Project 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
No Required text. Readings will be made available online.
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:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
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.