American archaeologists do have a problem with "credentialing". When I
was doing the research for my MA I used the internet extensively.
While Europeans were more than happy to answer my questions, I was all
but ignored by many of the Americans on the lists because after all I
didn't even have an MA, so why waste the time. An advanced degree does
not necessarily make you a better archaeologist (or anything else), it
just means you have an advanced degree.
For instance, almost all school administrators, and certainly all
senior personnel who work at the school board have at least MAs, many
PhDs. While it does mean they get paid more, my experience is they
don't know more. In fact they are often woefully ignorant of what
actually goes on in classrooms.
There is also an American prejudice against practicing (dirt)
archaeologists, as opposed to academics. Old adage," those who can't,
teach". While this is often not true, there are lots of archaeology
profs, and others in the profession with PhDs, who don't know which
end of a trowel to use, don't know what a Harris matrix is, nor
understand stratigraphy.
On Jul 23, 2009, at 2:14 PM, David Parkhill wrote:
> Folks, I find the discussion concerning the New York Times
> interesting. must admit that I have mixed feelings concerning your
> comments. I guess you might call me an Amateur or Avocational
> Archaeologist at least I call myself an Avocational.
>
> The challenge I find is that there are problems with both
> definitions. I know some folks that are amateurs that would put to
> shame many Professionals. Yes, I know some Professionals (if you
> wish) that are outstanding intelligent individuals as well as some
> high degreed blooming idiots.
>
> I have a teaching degree, BS Ed, and have spent many hours preparing
> myself to follow the guidelines and documentation of all the
> Archaeology research that I have performed personally. My work
> several times has been looked upon as, even by the Historical
> Commission, not professional due to the fact I do not have a MS or
> MA Degree. I say this because I am not allowed to do my research on
> State or Public Lands. All my work is done on private lands. I
> really don't care but I feel put upon and held back when some of my
> work has been stated to be very acceptable and used by CRM
> companies. Why don't we just quit arguing and strutting around like
> fighting cocks over a insignificant horizon.
>
> Talking about lowering the educational level of our children please
> allow me to point out from experience, that the dumbing down of
> schools has been a dedicated and concentrated effort by certain
> people in our society to, shall we say level the field.
> Unfortunately science has proven that the level of a substance
> cannot be raised by lowering the level of the whole. I have a
> granddaughter being left behind because the professionals do not
> have time to help her. They also teach to the TAKS test not to
> teach the children but to justify their jobs. Bullying the Public
> Schools in running rampant yet the Professionals always are looking
> the other way. Totally opposite from my days as a teacher.
>
> If I offended anyone then I hope you will become more dedicated to
> the education of our youth and society than ever before.
>
> Just an observation from an old and tired warrior.
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