Your objective for this paper is not necessarily to propose and defend a thesis, though you may certainly do so if you choose. The goal is simply for you to perform a literature review of some of the available research, summarize key findings from the sources you gather, relate them to one another where appropriate (where is there agreement or discord? for example), identify potential for testing that would advance our knowledge of the topic you choose, and even to offer criticism of the material you cite. Pick one of the following topics and begin work on your paper as soon as possible:
-Discuss the transition to agriculture (please define "agriculture") in two world areas of your choice. Relate these cases to general theoretical statements concerning agricultural origins. Compare and contrast your two cases in terms of available data and potential for testing popular theoretical positions.
-The emergence of anatomically modern humans in the Upper Paleolithic/Late Pleistocene has been a perennial topic of concern for archaeologists and paleoanthropologists. Using both archaeological and biological evidence discuss the controversies surrounding the emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens as the sole representative of the species.
-The date of entry of humans into the New World (Americas, Western Hemisphere) has been a long-term research concern of Americanist archaeology since there was such a discipline. Looking at evidence from both North and South America, critically evaluate current scholarly positions on the date and manner of human migration into this hemisphere.
-A topic of your choosing. If you have a particular interest in some other relevant archaeological topic, then you may research that. If you choose to formulate your own research assignment you must clear the topic with me at least one week before the first draft is due. I will upload starter resources for options 1-3 to the class Blackboard page.