24th October 2005, 05:51 PM
Ah yes Troll, I remember a few choice expressions on the faces of fellow undergrads faced with the prospect of working outside [:0] possibly in the rain [:0][:0]. Of our year I can count the number of currently working field archaeologists on one hand, and what-ever its faults the course did have some admirable elements.
I'm not completely certain, as others have said, that the 'dumbing down' issue is something that is either unique to archaeology, nor can it entirely be solved internally in the profession. For actual field archaeology courses, there needs to be a willingness to have units with either IFA (or whatever) proscribed content or unit involvement to at least expose the undergrads to the profession.
(I really have worked in the field)
I'm not completely certain, as others have said, that the 'dumbing down' issue is something that is either unique to archaeology, nor can it entirely be solved internally in the profession. For actual field archaeology courses, there needs to be a willingness to have units with either IFA (or whatever) proscribed content or unit involvement to at least expose the undergrads to the profession.(I really have worked in the field)