Indiana Jones inspire us all.  But what is the truth behind the Hollywood special effects?  In this class we will explore the movies scene-by-scene and learn about the history and science behind the REAL Indiana Jones.  In this class students will learn about early 20th century explorers that inspired the character of Indiana Jones.   We will take a closer look at the creepy crawlees in the films.  Students will learn about the Ark of the Covenant, Sankara Stones, the Holy Grail, and crystal skulls.  Students will also learn about the historic figures and historic events depicted in the movies and TV series.  Students will make a breastplate of Aaron, voodoo doll, a replica of the grail, a flying saucer, and a model of a WWI biplane.  

Course Outline
The course is organized into lectures and labs.  The lectures will take place in a live streaming classroom with the instructor and will consist of Powerpoint presentations and open discussion.  Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the lecture discussion.  Each class will also contain optional lab activities that relate to each week’s topic.  Lab activities will be conducted on your own.  Directions for each lab and list of necessary supplies are provided.   Students will not be graded and all assignments during the course are optional but encouraged to help students better understand the topics.  

Week 1.  Lecture:  You Call this Archaeology?
Who were the explorers that inspired Indiana Jones?  What major discoveries did they make?  Men such as Roy Chapman Andrews, Flinders Petrie, Hiram Bingham, Colonel Percy Fawcett, John Lloyd Stephens, David Livingstone, and Giovanni Batista Belzoni resonate with an air of adventure and personalities that dared fate. In this class students will be introduced to the 19th and 20th century explorers that inspired the myth.  Students will read journal entries from some of these explorers and experience the adventures of these explorers in their quest for Fortune and Glory.  

Week 1.  Lab:  An Archaeologist’s Account
Students will read the provided first hand account written by an archaeologist.  Students will then complete the provided worksheet based on the reading.

Week 2.  Lecture:  Raiders of the Lost Ark
earn the facts about Lucasfilms first movie, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  For instance, what types of snake should Indy fear most?  How dangerous are tarantulas?  Did Hitler really have a fascination with the occult?  Is there a real tribe known as the Hovitos?  What really happened to the Ark of the Covenant?  And many more.  

Week 2.  Lab:  The Breastplate of Aaron
Students will make a replica breastplate of Aaron like the one featured in the film.

Week 3.  Lecture:  Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Learn about Lucasfilm's second installment of the Indiana Jones saga.  For instance what kinds of foods do other cultures eat?  Were the Thugee a real Indian cult?  Did the Japonese invade China?  Who was the Nurhachi?  Do poisons have antidotes?  What happened during the Mutiny of 1857?  Is there a Panquot Palace?  What is the mythology behind the Sankara Stones?  And many more.  

Week 3.  Lab:  Make a Voodoo Doll
Students will make a voodoo doll like the one featured in the film.

Week 4.  Lecture:  Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Learn about Lucasfilm's third installment of the Indiana Jones saga.  For instance, did the Nazis really search for the Holy Grail?  What are the Grail myths?  What's significant about the site of Petra?  Who was Coronado and did he make it to Utah?  What are catacombs?  Is there a secret brotherhood that protects the Grail?  What is the difference between a Zeppelin and a blimp?  And many more.  

Week 4.  Lab:  The Holy Grail
Students will make a replica Holy Grail.

Week 5.  Lecture:  Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Learn about Lucasfilm's fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga.  For instance, were the crystal skulls real and where have they been found?  What are the Nasca lines and what are the current interpretations on them?  Are there such things as man-eating ants?  Were the Soviets interested in Psychic powers?  What happened at Roswell, New Mexico and what is the mythology surrounding the incident?  Are scorpions dangerous?  Who was Francisco Orellana and what did he do?  Did ancient cultures engage in artificial cranial deformation?  And many more.  

Week 5.  Lab:  Make a UFO 
Students will make a UFO.

Week 6.  Lab:  Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
Learn about the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.  For instance, do ancient tombs expel poisonous gases? Who was Lawrence of Arabia and was he interested really interested in archaeology?  Who was Tolstoy and did he go on a hiatus?  What's the real story of Poncho Villa?  Did Patton make his name during hunt for Poncho Villa?  Did Theordore Roosevelt go on African hunts?  Is there really a curse of King Tut?  Who was Edward Stratemeyer?  And many more.

Week 6.  Lab:  The Sopwith Camel
Students will make an origami paper plane of the Sopwith Camel; the plane that shot down the Red Baron during WWI.