This Course and Program Catalogue is effective from May 2024 to April 2025.

Not all courses described in the Course and Program Catalogue are offered each year. For a list of course offerings in 2024-2025, please consult the class search website.

The following conventions are used for course numbering:

  • 010-099 represent non-degree level courses
  • 100-699 represent undergraduate degree level courses
  • 700-999 represent graduate degree level courses

Course search


14 Results

ARCH 112.3: The Human Journey Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

This course introduces students to the basic principles of archaeology and biological anthropology by examining human evolutionary and cultural development. The course follows the journey of humanity from our earliest bipedal ancestors, through the emergence of anatomically modern humans, to the eventual advent of agriculture and development of complex urban states.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with previous credit for ANTH 110 or 112 may not take this course for credit.


ARCH 356.3: Development of Complex Cultures in Eastern Mediterranean and Near Eastern Regions

A study of the development of complex cultures in the eastern Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions from the hunting and gathering societies of the Upper Palaeolithic period to the establishment of complex urban cultures during the Early Bronze Age, with an emphasis on the geographical areas of ancient Syria and Israel.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): One of ARCH 244.3, ARCH 250.3 or ARCH 251.3.


ARCH 359.3: Archaeology of the Northwest Coast and Plateau

This course is designed as an introduction to the archaeology of the Northwest Coast and Plateau culture areas of North America, which stretches from coastal Alaska to northern California. This will include the pivotal role this region played in the peopling of the New World and the rise of social complexity in hunter-fisher-gatherer societies. It will question the concept of complexity, and how the term has shaped research in the region. It covers from Time Immemorial and the First Peopling into the Colonial Period. It contextualizes the role archaeologists have in re-interpreting the past and how Reconciliation affects our work.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 250.3 or ARCH 251.3
Note: Students with credit for ARCH 398.3 Archaeology of the North West Coast and Plateau may not take this course for credit.


ARCH 361.6: Archaeological Field Methods

Six weeks of field experience in archaeological research techniques including site survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis. The field location will depend on areas of departmental projects. Offered only in Spring and Summer Session.

Weekly hours: 60 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 250.3 or 251.3
Note: There will be costs in addition to tuition fees. Students with credit for ANTH 261.3 may not take this course for credit.


ARCH 805.3: Core Seminar in Archaeological Method and Theory

Seminars based on a series of readings dealing with the development of archaeological theory. Special emphasis will be given to anthropological archaeology and contemporary explanatory models.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction: Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.


ARCH 853.3: Graduate Seminar in Plains Archaeology

Deals with the prehistory of the Northern Plains with an emphasis on current issues and problem-solving.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 353; or equivalent.
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.


ARCH 855.3: Problems in Archaeology

Research on a selected problem in archaeology, biological anthropology, or the prehistory of a selected geographic area with a problem orientation. The subject will be examined in detail through seminar discussion, readings, and/or laboratory work. A comprehensive report or research paper will be prepared for the class.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.
Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit, provided the topic covered in each offering differs substantially. Students must consult the Department to ensure that the topics covered are different.


ARCH 861.3: Boreal Forest Archaeology

Provides students with an advanced understanding of boreal forest archaeology in Canada, primarily for northern Saskatchewan and Alberta. Discussion will focus on analyzing and synthesizing published and “grey” literature to thoroughly examine the methodological and theoretical issues that have hampered the development of archaeological investigation in the boreal forest.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program
Prerequisite(s): ARCH 350, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.


ARCH 862.3: Environmental Archaeology

Provides students with an advanced understanding of paleoenvironmental research as it applies to archaeological investigation. The course will focus on, but is not limited to, the Northern Plains and Boreal Forest of Saskatchewan and neighbouring areas. The course will provide an up-to-date picture of current knowledge regarding the use and application of paleoenvironmental research to archaeology, with a particular focus on problems and progress in the creation of paleoenvironmental data at a scale and scope suitable for archaeological investigation.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of the instructor is required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program


ARCH 898.3: Special Topics

Guided reading and discussion courses to permit advanced students to follow intensive library research into special aspects of archaeology or biological anthropology.

Weekly hours: 3 Reading hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.


ARCH 899.6: Special Topics

Guided reading and discussion courses to permit advanced students to follow intensive library research into special aspects of archaeology or biological anthropology.

Weekly hours: 3 Reading hours
Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program.


ARCH 990.0: Seminar

During residence, all graduate students will register in ARCH 990 and will present at least one paper based on their own research. Graduate students are required to attend and interested undergraduate students may be invited to attend.

Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Archaeology Graduate Program or permission of the Graduate Chair or designate.


ARCH 994.0: Research – Thesis

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.


ARCH 996.0: Research – Dissertation

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.