Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology

Programme Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology programme prepares competent professionals who can handle research that focus on prehistoric and historical archaeology. Through this programme, students will study historical development of the disciplines of archaeology and cultural a nthropology; techniques of archaeology and cultural anthropology; social formation processes; and cultural heritage management processes and practices. Learning modalities in this programme includes lectures, tutorials/seminars, assignments, excavation of archaeological sites/practical, and self-study.

Programme Structure

Year 1

Semester One

Semester Two

Year 2

Semester One

Semester Two

Year 3

Semester One

Semester Two

Special Programme Requirements

178 1st year in the 2nd Semester; Introductory Field Training (AC 129): The requirements are museum laboratory with seminar rooms equipped with computers, internet and audio visual facilities, topographic sheets, aerial photos, compass, cotton and steel tapes (scaled), digital camera, GPS device s, total station (Theodalite), range finders, binoculars, object display tables and shelves; and replacement of miscellaneous field equipment such as screens, buckets, shovels, brushes, knives, pick axes, etc. Conveyance for a day or two is required to expose students to the already identified sites in Dodoma Region. 2nd year in the 1st Semester; Forensic Anthropology (AC 212): The requirements are osteology practical laboratory training for bone histology, sample human and non-human skeletal bones, fingerprint pads (for dermatoglyphics), blood groups and DNA test kit. 2nd year in the 1st Semester; Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (AC 213): The requirements are lens of high resolution for use-wear analysis of artifacts, running water tap in the museum laboratory, and common balance for weighing soil samples during the particle size analysis (sand, silt and clay ratios). Graded sieve set as available in some organizations like Geological Surve y of Tanzania can also be helpful to directly calculate ratios. Plaster of Paris and glue are needed to reconstruct fragmentary ancient pottery evidence in the laboratory. 2nd year in the 2nd Semester; Ethnographic Research Method (AC 221): The requirements are permission and provision of conveyance for research visits (4 or 5 working days) to the indigenous villages of Dodoma, tape recorder, digital camera, and other related tools of anthropological field research. 2nd year in the 2nd Semester; Advanced Field Training (Archaeology/Media Anthropology) (AC 229): i) Advanced Field School in Archaeology: Intensive Field work training for four to six weeks in the selected archaeological site(s) using aerial photographs, electrical resistivity tools, magnetometer, etc. Thus, procurement of the above tools is required. For Excavation, the tools used for the course AC 129 can also be utilized. Other requirements include tents and bump beds, pressure lamps, Soil Color Testing Chart, plumb bob, cotton bags, polythin bags, aluminium foil, etc. Transport and meals allowance are also required. ii) Media Anthropology: Practical orientation on auditory cultures like sound, sentiment, and space using recording tools, documentary centers, and archives. Apart from these, local village visits to examine indigenous media and interview journalists are added requirements. Conveyance for small trips to nearby suburbs and indigenous villages for a week is essential. 3rd year in the 1st Semester; Advanced Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (AC 314)/Media Anthropology (AC 315) 179 i) Advanced Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (AC 314): The requirements are display boards, shelves and tables for classification and analysis of artifacts, and their preservation. A computer with GIS access is needed in the lab for archaeology data base storage. ii) Media Anthropology (AC 315): The requirements are transport facility for a couple of days to work with mass media and other documentary centres in collecting data for examining the impact of indigenous media in the rural reconstruction and development; and interaction with scholars and students of media and design to extend knowledge on the use of new tools, if any. Such tools can be either borrowed or purchased as per necessity. 3rd year in the 2nd Semester; one special course either Applied Anthropology (AC 324) or Public Archaeology (AC 325) i) Applied Anthropology (AC 324): The requirements are permission and transport facility to government and non-governmental organisations to collect data related to planning, administration and responsibilities of community welfare, CRM activities, etc. ii) Public Archaeology (AC 325): The requirements are Permission and conveyance for conducting salvage archaeology excavation and exhibition involving local and indigenous communities and participating in community festival, public seminar for heritage protection, case studies, etc. 3rd year in the 2nd Semester; Research Project (AC 329): Specialized Field, either in Archaeology or Cultural Anthropology Instruments for data collection and analysis need to be provided to the learners. Some contingent allowance may be recommended for the university grants or outside institutional assistance.