[00:00.00]Narrator: Listen to a conversation between a student and a professor.
[00:05.45]MALE STUDENT: Hi, Professor Archer. You know how in class last week you said that you were looking for students who were interested in volunteering for your archaeology project?
[00:13.98]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Of course. Are you volunteering?
[00:16.03]MALE STUDENT: Yes, I am. [00:16.76]It sounds really interesting. But, ummm, do I need to have any experience with these kinds of projects?
[00:23.07]FEMALE PROFESSOR: No, not really. [00:24.40]I assume that most students taking the introductory-level class will have little or no experience with archaeological research, but that’s OK.
[00:32.45]MALE STUDENT: Oh good—that's a relief. [00:34.51]Actually, that's why I'm volunteering for the project—to get experience. [00:39.21]What kind of work is it?
[00:40.71]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Well, as you know, we're studying the history of the campus this semester. [00:44.83]This used to be an agricultural area, and we already know that where the main lecture hall now stands there once were a farmhouse and barn that were erected in the late 1700s. [00:56.28]We're excavating near the lecture hall to see what types of artifacts we find—you know, things people used in the past that got buried when the campus was constructed. [01:05.81]We've already begun to find some very interesting items like, um, old bottles, buttons, pieces of clay pottery …
[01:13.06]MALE STUDENT: Buttons and clay pottery? [01:15.08]Did the old owners leave in such a hurry that they left their clothes and dishes behind?
[01:19.79]FEMALE PROFESSOR: That's just one of the questions we hope to answer with this project.
[01:23.75]MALE STUDENT: Wow—and it's all right here on campus …
[01:26.39]FEMALE PROFESSOR: That's right, no traveling involved. [01:28.61]I wouldn't expect volunteers to travel to a site, especially in the middle of the semester. [01:33.52]We expect to find many more things, but we do need more people to help.
[01:37.88]MALE STUDENT: So … how many student volunteers are you looking for?
[01:41.37]FEMALE PROFESSOR: I'm hoping to get five or six. [01:43.91]I've asked for volunteers in all the classes I teach, but no one's responded. [01:48.15]You're the first person to express interest.
[01:50.34]MALE STUDENT: It sounds like it could be a lot of work. [01:52.80]Is there … is there any way I can use the experience to get some extra credit in class? [01:58.15]I mean, can I write a paper about it?
[02:00.27]FEMALE PROFESSOR: I think it'll depend on what type of work you do in the excavation, but I imagine we can arrange something. [02:07.16]Well, actually, I've been considering offering extra credit for class because I've been having a tough time getting volunteers … [02:13.72]extra credit is always a good incentive for students.
[02:17.37]MALE STUDENT: And … how often would you want the volunteers to work?
[02:20.76]FEMALE PROFESSOR: We're asking for three or four hours per week, depending on your schedule. [02:24.98]A senior researcher—I think you know John Franklin, my assistant—is on site every day.
[02:30.44]MALE STUDENT: Sure, I know John. [02:31.82]By the way, will there be some sort of training?
[02:34.80]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Yes, I want to wait till Friday to see how many students volunteer. And then I'll schedule a training class next week at a time that's convenient for everyone.
[02:44.39]MALE STUDENT: OK, I'll wait to hear from you. [02:46.45]Thanks a lot for accepting me!