Anthropology - Archaeology Archaeological Technician - Major #7120

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Archaeological Technician Certificate of Achievement is a program designed to provide students with education and training in the various aspects of modern archaeology in preparation for 1) entry level employment, and 2) continuing education in archaeology.  An archaeological technician may work in the field doing survey or excavation or in a laboratory processing archaeological collections, doing data entry, archival research, or other tasks related to the management of archaeological data, all under the direction of a professional archaeologist. Students planning for a career in archaeology will need to earn at least a Bachelor's degree.  Therefore, archaeology students are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor about transfer requirements early in their program.  Archaeology students should also meet with the archaeology faculty about course/program offerings as soon as possible in order to complete the program in a timely manner.


Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of terminology, methods, and the theoretical framework of modern, scientific archaeology.
  2. 2. Students will have demonstrable skills in archaeological field methods.
  3. 3. Students will have demonstrable skills in archaeological laboratory methods.
Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester

Term 1

9 units

ANTHRO 1
Biological Anthropology

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course explores concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and its application to the human species. Topics include: genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as the foundation of the course. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. B: Biological Science
  1. B2 - Life Science
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. A: Natural Sciences
  2. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

ANTHRO 2
Cultural Anthropology

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course explores how anthropologists study and compare human cultures. Cultural anthropologists seek to understand the diversity of human experience, focusing on a set of central issues: how people around the world make their living (subsistence patterns); how they organize themselves socially, politically and economically; how they communicate; how they relate to each other through marriage, family and kinship ties; what they believe about the world (religion and belief systems); how they express themselves creatively (the arts and expressive culture); how they make distinctions among themselves; how they have shaped and been shaped by the past; and how they navigate culture change and processes of globalization. Ethnographic case studies highlight these similarities and differences, and introduce students to how anthropologists do their work, employ professional anthropological research ethics and apply their perspectives and skills to understand humans around the globe. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. A: Anthropology and Archaeology
  1. D1 - Anthropology and Archeology
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

ANTHRO 4
Introduction to Archaeology

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course serves as an introduction to the examination of concepts, theories, data, and models within the field of archaeology, aiming to enhance understanding of the human past. It encompasses discussions on the characteristics of scientific inquiry, delves into the historical context and interdisciplinary facets inherent in modern archaeological research. The curriculum covers various aspects such as dating techniques, survey methods, excavation procedures, analytical approaches, and interpretation methodologies, incorporating selected cultural sequences for a comprehensive exploration. Additionally, the course addresses cultural resource management and emphasizes the importance of professional ethics. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. A: Anthropology and Archaeology
  1. D1 - Anthropology and Archeology
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Term 2

9-10.5 units

ANTHRO 15
Laboratory Methods in Archaeology

4 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course emphasizes the role laboratory work in developing and organizing archaeological projects. It explores the processes of identifying, analyzing, and cataloging artifacts, including various types such as lithic, ceramic, bone, historic items, among others. The curriculum provides practical insights into the methodologies employed in the laboratory setting to enhance understanding of archaeological materials. (A, CSU, UC)

ANTHRO 16A
Field Archaeology I

2 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
Students in this course gain hands-on field experience in archaeology, focusing on the development of practical skills. This includes training in archaeological survey techniques, excavation methods, mapping procedures, and site recording. The curriculum also covers the identification of artifacts, features, sites, and cultural landscapes in real field situations. Students will learn about the logistics involved in archaeological projects. Participation in a required orientation meeting precedes the field experience. (A, CSU, UC)

Major Course

3-4.5 units

Select 3 units from the following: 

ANTHRO 1L
Biological Anthropology Laboratory

1 unit
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course is a hands-on laboratory experience to supplement Biological Anthropology. It may be taken either concurrently with Anthropology 1 or in a subsequent term. Exercises will provide additional experience and hands-on activities to expand student learning in the following major subject areas: the scientific method, evolution and natural selection with a specific focus on human evolution, evolutionary genetics, modern human variation, forensic anthropology, primate anatomy and behavior, and the hominid fossil record. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Corequisite: ANTHRO 1
  2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. C: Science Laboratory
  1. B3 - Laboratory Activity
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. A: Natural Sciences

ANTHRO 3
Archaeology and World Prehistory

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the physical and cultural evolution of the human species, tracing its development from the earliest manifestations of "humanness" to the emergence and growth of civilization. Looking at the archaeological record is the methodology of the course. The curriculum encompasses a brief introductory overview of the methodologies employed in archaeology, highlighting the interdisciplinary character inherent in modern archaeological research. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. A: Anthropology and Archaeology
  1. D1 - Anthropology and Archeology
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

ANTHRO 16B
Field Archaeology II

2 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
A second experience in archaeological field work. Continues development of practical skills in archaeological field work with the addition of higher level responsibilities. In this course students return as potential supervisors. They continue to gain hands-on field experience in archaeology, focusing on the development of practical skills. This includes training in archaeological survey techniques, excavation methods, mapping procedures, and site recording. The curriculum also covers the identification of artifacts, features, sites, and cultural landscapes in real field situations. Students will learn about the logistics involved in archaeological projects. Participation in a required orientation meeting precedes the field experience. (A, CSU, UC)

ANTHRO 24
Doing Archaeology: Hands-On!

1.5 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course provides hands-on experience in archaeology, focusing on various skills from the field. Students actively engage in artifact identification, utilize compass techniques, employ survey methods, and practice mapping units, sites, and features. The course also includes instruction on setting up archaeological excavation units and introduces the use of topographic maps, emphasizing the Universal Transverse Mercator and Public Lands Survey grid systems within the field of archaeology. Additionally, students are introduced to site record forms as part of the practical training. (A, CSU, UC)

Ancient Mexico

3 units
ANTHRO 28
Ancient Mexico
3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
A survey of history, geography, socio-political, religious systems, and cultural achievements of Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Teotihuacano, Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec/Mexican. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
      1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences
      or
      CLS 28
      Ancient Mexico
      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      A survey of history, geography, socio-political, religious systems, and cultural achievements of Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Teotihuacano, Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec/Mexican. (A, CSU, UC)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer Course
        1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

        ANTHRO 30
        Topics in Anthropology

        1-4 units
        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
        This course is an examination of topics, current trends, and/or issues in the subdisciplines of Anthropology not covered by regular catalog offerings. The course content and unit credit will be determined by faculty. It may be offered in seminar, lecture, and/or laboratory format. Recommended preparation varies with topic. (A, CSU, UC approved as variable topics; evaluation completed by individual campuses after admission.)

        GEOG 10
        Introduction to GIS

        3 units
        Effective Term: 2023 Fall Semester
        Introduction to the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including familiarization with commonly used GIS software, data sources, organization and input of data, display of spatial data, querying and methods of data analysis, and real-world applications of GIS to problem-solving. (A, CSU, UC)
        Course Details:
            1. CSU Transfer Course

              GEOL 1
              Physical Geology

              4 units
              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
              This course consists of an introduction to the principles and unifying concepts of earth science including geologic time, formation and internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, rock and mineral identification, weathering processes, landforms, earthquakes, volcanic activity, flooding and groundwater resources. Laboratory exercises will include rock and mineral identification, and interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. Optional field trips to classic geologic locations. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
              Course Details:
                1. A: Physical Science Lab or Physical Science Lab only (non-sequence)
                2. C: Science Laboratory
                1. B1 - Physical Science
                2. B3 - Laboratory Activity
                3. CSU Transfer Course
                1. A: Natural Sciences

                HIST 3
                History of Ancient Rome

                3 units
                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                The history, politics, social life, literature, art, architecture, religion and archaeology of Rome from the foundation of the city to the early Byzantine period. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                Course Details:
                1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                2. Advisory: HIST 1
                1. F: History
                1. D6 - History
                2. CSU Transfer Course
                1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

                HIST 18
                History of Ancient Greece

                3 units
                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                An intensive survey of Greek history from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. Discussion of the Homeric poems, the development of the polis system in Athens and Sparta, the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, and Hellenistic science and technology. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                Course Details:
                1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                2. Advisory: HIST 1
                1. F: History
                1. D6 - History
                2. CSU Transfer Course
                1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

                HIST 30
                California History

                3 units
                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                Growth and development of California politically, economically and culturally from Spanish colonization to the present, emphasizing the period since statehood. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                Course Details:
                1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                1. F: History
                1. D6 - History
                2. CSU Transfer Course
                1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences
                Total: 18-19.5 units