Archaeology

Requirements for Major

All students enroll in a core curriculum of three courses which provide a broad overview of prehistoric and classical archaeology, and exposure to field methods both in theory and on an actual archaeological site. Five additional courses, selected in consultation with program advisors, explore specific areas and issues of archaeological research in various parts of the world. Other courses from the department of anthropology, history, and art may be substituted in consultation with program advisors. The final two courses are selected from such related areas as classics, religious studies, chemistry, and environmental sciences.

Minor in Archaeology

The minor consists of the core curriculum and an additional nine credits to be chosen in consultation with a program advisor.

Distinguished Majors Program in Archaeology

Students with superior academic performance are encouraged to apply to the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in which they write a thesis demonstrating independent study of high quality. The requirements for admission to the DMP are:

1. satisfaction of all College requirements as stated in the Record with a GPA of at least 3.400 in all University courses;
2. a GPA of at least 3.400 in all courses taken as part of the archaeology major;
3. permission of an advisor, who may be any member of the program’s faculty that is willing to take on the responsibility of supervising the thesis and is normally someone to whom the students have already demonstrated their ability in a specialized course at the 500 level.

Additional Information

For more information, contact Rachel Most, Department of Anthropology, 101 Brooks Hall, P.O. Box 400120 Charlottesville, VA 22904; (434) 924-7044; rm5f@virginia.edu.

Course Descriptions