This course covers both substantive and theoretical aspects of the transition from foraging to resource production. Regional case studies of primary and secondary areas of the shift to resource production throughout the world are investigated, and theoretical models to explain the transition are examined. The course will follow a seminar format, where the class will meet to discuss a particular topic. For each of these meetings, a team of students will be responsible for researching the topic in some detail and presenting a summary, while the rest of the class will be responsible for preparing questions for discussion. In addition, each student will prepare one research paper for submission. The paper will require the student to formulate a major topic for detailed investigation, write a paper on the research, and present the results to the class.