ANTHR 7005 - Archaeology of Slavery and Indenture

(crosslisted) ARKEO 7005, SHUM 6005

Fall. 4 credits. Student option grading.

Co-meets with ANTHR 4005/ARKEO 4005/SHUM 4005.

J. Jong Haines.

This course offers a global survey of the archaeology of social inequality that demonstrates the historical and geographical range in forms of enslavement, captivity, and exploitative labor. Is there a universal definition of “slavery”? How did human exploitation vary through space and time? How does the archaeological record help us to understand the strategies did people use to survive? What are the legacies of slavery today? We will explore these questions by studying archaeological material culture and landscapes, bringing to the foreground the everyday lives and agency of such men, women, and children. Throughout the course we will consider the current politics of heritage, concerns of descendant communities, issues of citizenship, and engaging the public in the archaeology of slavery and indenture.