Course syllabus
ANTHRO 337 - Birth, Death, and Disease: Anthropological Demography
Convenor: Dr. Heather Battles
Email: h.battles@auckland.ac.nz
Office: HSB 718
Office hours: Fridays 11am-noon (or by appointment)
Lectures: Tuesdays 2-4pm 303-G15
Labs: Wednesdays (noon-1pm or 1-2pm*) in 201E-259 (computer lab) *See your individual timetable for your lab time.
Course description: Examines how human populations change over time, what factors underlie patterns of disease and death, and why demography is so important to the study of epidemics. The course will explore the use of demographic methods and theories of demographic and epidemiological transition to examine fertility, morbidity, mortality and migration from an anthropological perspective, with a particular focus on infectious disease dynamics.
Points: 15.0
Prerequisites: ANTHRO 201 or 120 points passed
Course goals and outcomes:
- Understanding of the theoretical basis of demographic and epidemiological analysis in Anthropology
- Ability to employ basic methods of demographic analysis in original research, both independently and cooperatively
- Contribution to preservation of Auckland heritage and understanding of local demographic and cultural history
Learning assessments:
|
Assessment |
Percentage (%) of final grade |
|
Labwork* |
20 *Submission of 7 out of 10 lab outputs mandatory for passing grade in course |
|
First report – 1000 words |
15 |
|
Final report – 1500 words |
25 |
|
Midterm test (1 hour) |
15 |
|
Final exam (2 hours) |
25 |
Weekly topics (readings available through Talis):
Week 1: Introduction to anthropological demography
Week 2: Historical cemeteries as sources of demographic data
Week 3: Evolution and demography
Week 4: Archaeological demography
Week 5: Fertility
Week 6: Migration
Week 7: Demographic and epidemiological transition theory
Week 8: Mortality by cause and the McKeown Debate
Week 9: Measuring health and disease
Week 10: Sex, gender and health: Sex differences in morbidity and mortality
Week 11: Ageing and longevity
Week 12: Uses of demography today: Planning for the future
Symonds Street Cemetery Project
This course includes an applied project, which is a historical demographic analysis of the Symonds Street Cemetery. The information you gather and analyse as part of this project will be of use to Auckland Council and to future researchers. You will be part of a team assigned to one of the five denominational divisions of the cemetery. You will collect and share data as part of a team, but will submit individual reports for assessment. Much of the work for this will be done in the computer lab during your lab time, but it will also require significant time outside of class.
Assessment submission and guidelines:
All coursework must be submitted by the due date and time. Late work will not be accepted and not marked, except in exceptional circumstances with proof in the form of a medical certificate or other written evidence (e.g. counselling certificate).
Coursework should be submitted via Canvas unless otherwise specified (lab outputs should be uploaded to Canvas by the end of lab time). If for technical reasons this is not possible, assignments should be emailed to the instructor BEFORE the deadline.
Labwork is an essential part of the course and will provide the data and skills instruction necessary to complete your reports. Submission of at least 7 out of 10 lab outputs is compulsory for a passing grade in the course.
Students who miss the midterm test due to a proven medical reason will have the value of the midterm added to the value of the final exam.
Help with academic problems:
Please see your tutor or convenor if you are having problems with any aspect of the course. We are happy to see you and help you get the most out of this course.
If you need help with developing your writing skills or your ability to take effective notes, sign up with Student Learning Services located in Room 320, Level 3 in the Information Commons building. More information about their workshops and other services can be found online at www.library.auckland.ac.nz/student-learning/.
You might also wish to go to the English Language Self Access Centre (ELSAC) in the Kate Edger Information Commons building. They state that ELSAC “supports University students with all aspects of their English, offering language learning materials, computer programmes, workshops, and on-on-one language support, all free of charge and 7 days per week.”
Disabled students:
Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course convenor and/or tutor. Additional information for disabled students can be found at the University of Auckland Disability Services website: http://www.disability.auckland.ac.nz.
Plagiarism:
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting his or her learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the world-wide web. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
For information on the University of Auckland’s position on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism, and for specific guidelines for the Conduct of Coursework and Conduct of Research, please see: www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/about/teaching/plagiarism/plagiarism_home.cfm
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|