• Evaluate the evidence that informs our understanding of seafaring in the western hemisphere.
• Identify the cultural phases and geographical locations relevant to maritime activity in the Americas.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ship design, construction, propulsion, and related seafaring technologies.
• Develop a broad understanding of the maritime and naval activities that shaped American history between 1492 and the late 19th century.

• Exams (3 total): There will be two mid-term exams (20% each or 40% of the final grade), and one final exam (worth 40% of your final grade). Exams will cover both lectures and readings. The format of the exams will include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, matching, and true/false questions. Some questions will be visual, based on images shown in class and posted to Canvas. The two mid-term exams will each cover material from the preceding one-third of the semester. The final exam will focus on material from the final one-third of the semester but will also include general questions on topics covered since the beginning of the semester.

• Several short take-home fill-in-the-blank or map assignments designed to serve as study aids (10%). These will be distributed in class and uploaded on Canvas. Each is to be turned in no later than one week after the initial distribution of the assignment. These are an easy 10% toward your final grade, so do not neglect to fill them out and return them to me.

• A short nautical archaeology slide presentation (10%). Students will choose an archaeologically investigated site (a shipwreck or maritime-related site) dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Look for something that interests you, but this should not be one of the sites covered in class. Prepare a six-slide PowerPoint presentation with images and text summarizing the principal features and the historical and archaeological significance of the site. The sixth and final slide should provide a bibliographical listing of the principal sources you consulted for the research. The project will be graded on the quality of the research and attention given to the assembly of the presentation.

A standard 10-point grading scale is used in ANTH 318: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69=D, 59 or below = F.

• My lectures often provide information that is not covered in the readings. Attendance of all classes and diligent note taking are highly recommended! Do not expect to get a good grade if you do not attend the lectures and take notes.
• If you miss a lecture, get the notes from one of your colleagues (or better yet, from several of your colleagues). If you have questions about the material after viewing their notes, please make an appointment to see me. My lecture notes are not available for copying.
• If you are confused about the material covered in the lectures or the reading, or are concerned about your grade, please make an appointment to see me. The earlier you do this, the more likely it is that we can fix the problem before the end of the semester.
• I am a believer in the use of some form of paper or digital ‘flash cards’ as study aids. Use a large note card or a single Word document page to summarize the important points about a particular topic, combining both your class notes and the readings. Organizing information and then writing it down is a good way to fix it in your memory.
• Do not fail to show up for exams (I do not enjoy preparing make-up exams).