CRM Archaeology Graduate Student Learning Goals
Just as the required courses link to the program mission statement, each course in turn has specific student learning outcomes that manifest the guiding mission philosophy into tangible educational experiences in the classroom, lab, and field. Because it is very important for CRM archaeologists to have a broad foundation in four-field anthropology, nearly half of our learning outcomes are shared with the general anthropology program goals. The remainder of the learning outcomes is specific to CRM. The following outline presents the graduate student learning outcomes organized by those from the general anthropology program and those specific to the CRM program.
General Anthropology Program Outcomes
1. A broad knowledge of the discipline of anthropology and its four fields
2. An understanding of the anthropological concept of culture, including
a. how knowledge of human cultural learning demonstrates the lack of evidence for the
existence of biological “races”
b. how anthropological views of culture have changed over time
c. how cultural anthropologists use participant-observation to learn about the ways of life of
living peoples
d. the importance of symbolic activity in human activities such as language, the arts, and other
creative human activities
e. how cultural patterns vary over time and across the world
f. how cultural anthropologists study contemporary changes in the ways human beings live
3. Knowledge of major research methods used in anthropology, with firsthand research
experience in archaeology
4. The ability to read, think and evaluate information critically
5. The ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data
6. Writing skills:
a. The ability to communicate ideas clearly
b. The ability to synthesize information
c. The ability to analyze and apply anthropological concepts
7. Knowledge of, and respect for, human cultural diversity worldwide.
Specific CRM Program Outcomes
8. An understanding of archaeological theory and research methods for exploring and studying
cultural patterns and cultural change in the human past
9. A broad knowledge of the history, philosophy, and theory related to managing cultural
resources and historic preservation in the United States
10. An understanding of professional ethics that include the preservation, conservation, and
stewardship of cultural resources
11. A thorough understanding of federal and state legislation regarding cultural resources
management
12. The ability to produce a theoretically and methodologically sophisticated research design for
identifying and evaluating cultural resources that
a. adheres to criteria established in federal and state legislation
b. meets professional and academic research standards
13. An understanding of, and the ability to apply, archaeological field methods that
a. are required to successfully complete Phase I, II, and III CRM projects as outlined in federal
and state regulations and guidelines
b. meet modern professional standards
c. employ professional ethics
14. The ability to design and complete an analysis of archaeological data in order to
a. demonstrate the successful application of archaeological theory and research methods
b. demonstrate an understanding of database management tools
c. successfully complete Phase I, II, and III CRM projects
15. The ability to work cooperatively and respectfully with representatives from federal and state
agencies, Native American communities, non-profit and for-profit companies, and especially
general members of the public
16. The ability to aid clients in the private and public sectors to work successfully within the
framework of federal and state CRM law
