Graduate Program

RICE UNIVERSITY ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Current Graduate Students:   Mamadou Cisse Brian Clark   Interests & Publications Interests

Previous Graduates:   Alioune Deme   Ibrahima Thiaw       Thesis Abstract Publications   Thesis Abstract Publications

M.A. in Archaeological Field Techniques and Laboratory Analysis

This degree program is aimed specifically at individuals who plan to do fieldwork in an African setting.  The curriculum is designed to impart competence in all the elements of archaeological fieldwork, including the design of field research programs, excavation and survey techniques, laboratory analysis, database development and archiving, and curation of archaeological materials. The program stresses an anthropological approach to the investigation of the past, which will be new for African students, who study archaeology as a branch of history.   A special feature is an emphasis on cultural property and heritage management issues.

Requirements for the M.A.:

30 credit hours of approved coursework (must include Anth 562, 656, 443, and 800 as indicated, plus at least one other course at the 500 level or above, 1 of the 3 special papers required for the Ph.D., and a thesis.

COURSEWORK:  (30 credit hours plus M.A. Thesis Research and writing)

At least six courses MUST be drawn from the following:

Anth 201  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Anth 203  Human Antiquity
Anth 205  Introduction to Archaeology
Anth 210  Anthropology of Death
Anth 512  African Prehistory
Anth 545  The Politics of the Past
Anth 555  Landscape Archaeology
Anth 625 Advanced topics in archaeology (laboratory analysis, database development)
Anth 642  Museums: Theory and Practice
Anth 656  Heritage Management
Anth 658  Human Osteology
Anth 660  Advanced Archaeological Theory
Soci  398  Social Statistics

In addition, the following courses are required (9 semester hours):

Anth 562  Archaeological Field Techniques
Anth 656  Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
Anth 443  Archaeological Research design

M.A. Thesis Research and writing

Anth 800 (variable credit)

Additional requirements:

Summer excavation experience

Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology

The Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology emphasizes research skills in the library, field, and laboratory - making use of the excellent laboratory and computer facilities at Rice. These skills will be tested by means of three research papers, at least one of which must be an original data paper. In addition to research on the dissertation topic, all students are encouraged to develop at least one analytical skill, such as remote sensing, osteology,  GIS, geomorphology.

Degree Requirements

• Two years of full-time scholarly study in residence at Rice.

• Competence in one scholarly foreign language.

• Satisfactory completion of required coursework.

• Satisfactory completion of the three qualifying papers in distinct fields of specialization.

• Satisfactory completion of a research proposal.

• Satisfactory completion of a dissertation 

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