Ruins at Tusayan Museum

An on-site, hands-on interdisciplinary workshop "fostering opportunities for emotional and
intellectual connections to resource meanings through archaeology"
  • Link to 2004 Workshop (Charleston, SC) web pages

  • Questions:
    D
    irect any questions you have regarding the content of the course to:
    John Jameson
    Senior Archeologist
    Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC)
    Voice: 850-580-3011, ext 243; Cell: 850-322-5636
    E-Mail: john_jameson@nps.gov
    ; jhjameson@yahoo.com

    Direct questions regarding application for the course to:
    Joyce Howe
    Management Assistant
    Stephen T. Mather Training Center
    Voice: 304-535-6217
    Email: joyc
    e_howe@nps.gov

  • Other contacts:
    1. Amy Horn, Park Archeologist, email: amy_horn@nps.gov;
    2. Judy Hellmich-Bryan, Chief of Interpretation, Grand Canyon NP, email: Judy_Hellmich@nps.gov

 

Training Goals and Objectives:

Goals:

The overall goals of this training are to strengthen the relationship between archeology and public interpretation and to improve how archeology is presented to the public. Participants will gain a general introduction to effective methods and procedures in the field of public interpretation of archeological sites. Interpreters and educators will gain knowledge about fundamental principles and professional standards in archeology as well as knowledge and skills for developing presentations and media about archeological resources. Archeologists will gain knowledge about standards for interpretation as well as knowledge and skills for developing effective interpretive presentations and media about archeological resources.

Objectives: Upon completing the training, participants will gain knowledge and skills to:

  • Develop and implement a mission-driven approach to interpretation of archeological resources that incorporates both park management outcomes and audience revelation, both of which lead to enhanced stewardship.

  • Through knowledge gained of professional standards of archaeological practice and interpretive purpose and techniques, develop a personal foundation of knowledge and skills to use in creating programs that effectively interpret archeological resources.

  • Identify and appropriately present multiple perspectives, or direct audiences to sources for discovering multiple perspectives.

  • Explain the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork, including the interpreter's and archeologist's respective roles, in developing programs and texts about archeological subjects.

The course draws from the NPS's Module 440 Shared Competency Course of Study: "Effective Interpretation of Archeological Resources." Case study examples demonstrate interpretive approaches and techniques that have been effective in the past. Participants are assigned to interdisciplinary focus groups that examine local interpretation and education efforts and provide group critiques of programs and projects. Field trips are scheduled to local archeological sites and museums with existing and planned public interpretation programs.

 

Internet Resources/Links:

Background to shared competency training module
- Module 440: Effective Interpretation of Archeological Resources
- Module 101. Fulfilling the NPS Mission: The Process of Interpretation
- The NPS Interpretive Development Program
- "Archeology for Interpreters" knowledge guide
- "Interpretation for Archeologists" knowledge guide
- 'An Inspiring Guide’ online course (University of Maryland Center for Heritage Resource Studies)
- NPS Archeology essential competencies
- Laws, regulations, and standards affecting archeological resources
- SEAC's Public Interpretation Initiative
- SEAC's Interpretive Arts Initiative
- NPS Harper's Ferry Center onMedia Newsletter
- Other literary and web resources

 

Field Trip/Focus sites: