Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/Rice University/The Archaeology of Africa (Spring 2023)
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- Course name
- The Archaeology of Africa
- Institution
- Rice University
- Instructor
- Mary Prendergast
- Wikipedia Expert
- Ian (Wiki Ed)
- Subject
- Anthropology
- Course dates
- 2023-01-10 00:00:00 UTC – 2023-05-06 23:59:59 UTC
- Approximate number of student editors
- 22
This course provides an introduction to the rich past of Africa as seen through the archaeological record, including the earliest origins and development of our species, the development of innovative economies and technologies, the rise of cities and kingdoms, and African connections to the world and the development of an African diaspora, primarily through the trafficking of enslaved people. Students will be asked to choose a topic early in the semester to research and outline over the course of the term. The final product will be either a Wikipedia article written from scratch, or an existing article that has been substantially expanded upon and improved through student work. Students will be encouraged to choose topics on people (scholars or historical figures), places (archaeological sites), or problems (topics) currently underrepresented in African archaeology and will be provided with a list of suggestions.
Timeline
Week 1
- Course meetings
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- Wednesday, 11 January 2023
- In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia assignment
Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.
Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 1–5
- Evaluating Wikipedia
- Assignment - Create a Wikipedia account and join our course (link on Canvas)
- Assignment - Read Grillo & Contreras - Public archaeology's mammoth in the room (canvas)
Week 2
- Course meetings
-
- Wednesday, 18 January 2023
- Assignment - Get started on Wikipedia
Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you. (Because of Wikipedia's technical restraints, you may receive a message that you cannot create an account. To resolve this, please try again off campus or the next day.)
Week 3
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 23 January 2023 | Wednesday, 25 January 2023
- Sources & plagiarism (video on Canvas)
- What's a content gap? (Video on Canvas)
Week 4
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 30 January 2023 | Wednesday, 1 February 2023
- Assignment - Evaluate Wikipedia
- Assignment - Add to an article
Week 5
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 6 February 2023 | Wednesday, 8 February 2023
- In class - Brainstorm topic ideas (in class)
See Canvas for link to ideas list
- In class - Group editing exercise (in class)
See Canvas for instructions
Week 6
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 13 February 2023 | Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Week 7
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 20 February 2023 | Wednesday, 22 February 2023
- Assignment - Choose your article - via CANVAS, not this dashboard
Please use the Assignment area in Canvas to submit your ranked list of 3 topics. Do not attempt to do so via the Dashboard in Wikipedia.
Week 8
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 27 February 2023 | Wednesday, 1 March 2023
- Assignment - Develop your source list
Week 9
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 6 March 2023 | Wednesday, 8 March 2023
- Assignment - Start drafting your contributions
Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have questions using the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, pages 7–9
- Guide(s) for writing articles in your topic area
- Milestones
Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.
Week 10
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 20 March 2023 | Wednesday, 22 March 2023
- Assignment - Continue drafting your contributions
Week 11
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 27 March 2023 | Wednesday, 29 March 2023
- Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia
Now that you've improved your draft based on others' feedback, it's time to move your work live - to the "mainspace."
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, page 13
- Assignment - Learn about peer review
Week 12
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 3 April 2023 | Wednesday, 5 April 2023
- Assignment - Peer review two articles (rubric on Canvas; workshop during class)
Week 13
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 10 April 2023 | Wednesday, 12 April 2023
- Assignment - Respond to your peer review
You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. Consider their suggestions, decide whether it makes your work more accurate and complete, and edit your draft to make those changes.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 12 and 14
- Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have any questions.
- Assignment - Continue improving your article
Now's the time to revisit your text and refine your work. You may do more research and find missing information; rewrite the lead section to represent all major points; reorganize the text to communicate the information better; or add images and other media.
- Reflection - Thinking about Wikipedia
Check out these questions as inspiration for your lightning talk
Week 14
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 17 April 2023 | Wednesday, 19 April 2023
- Assignment - Lightning talk
- present your Wikipedia essay & experience
- Assignment - Final article
It's the final week to develop your article.
- Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
- Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!