I would like to point out one successful way that History and  Archaeology
have joined forces in the Historical Archaeology Masters program at the
University of West Florida is in the History Department.  It is one of
several tracks in the History Department, and we have 30+ students in the
program from all over the country.  The program consists of 50% history and
50% Archaeology in coursework, exams, committees and theses.  It is a 3 yr
program with 30 semester hours of coursework, and usually a year of thesis
work.   To meet the 30 hour coursework limit, we had to eliminate some
"traditional" core courses in both History and Anthropology.   The students
are getting a strong background in history including methods, theory, and
writing.  The archaeology courses are tailored to their future careers as
Historical Hrchaeologists: Historical Archaeology, CRM, Method and Theory,
Nautical, Advanced Field Work (learning how to supervise).  For entry into
the program, we require core courses in both History and Anthropology.

With the "50:50" program, our graduate students get the Anthropological
Archaeology perspective from the Archaeology faculty and the Social
Historical perspective from the History faculty.  The fact that it the
program is in History sends the message that History has been very
important in their education and training, and it serves them well.  Their
transcripts and resumes reflect the archaeology both in coursework and
participation on historical archaeology projects.

Our Historical Archaeology Masters graduates compete very well in the job
market and get good jobs.  They know the essentials of both history and
archaeology, and they can write.  I recommend this approach for Historical
Archaeology programs... 50:50.  The program has envigorated both our
History and Anthropology faculties and the 50:50 approach has forced us to
work together side by side.  We cross campus to our respective departments
all the time and we all have gotten used to working together because it is
intersting, fun, and it draws good students.  Of course we have our
differences and turf problems, but we have managed to work through them.

For more information about this Historical Archaeology program, visit the
web site at http://uwf.edu/catalog/hisma.htm and also visit the Archaeology
program web site to see how Historical Archaeology is integrated into
traditional Anthropological Archaeology at http://uwf.edu/archaeology/


Dr. Judy Bense
Professor and Director
Archaeology Program
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL 32514
voice: 850-474-3015
FAX: 850-464-2764