Course syllabus

ANTHRO 701B: Human Palaeoecology (15 pts)

SEMESTER II, 2018

CONVENOR: Prof. Melinda S. Allen - ms.allen@auckland.ac.nz

DELIVERY FORMAT: 2 hour seminar (Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Critical survey of methods, theories and problems in human palaeoecology, including issues of resource use, landscape change, island colonisation and anthropogenic extinctions.

COURSE OUTCOMES: This is a seminar on human palaeoecology (HPE) and the methods and theories used to investigate this subject matter. The course objectives are to: 

1) introduce you to human palaeoecology and related themes, analytical issues, and contributions to the discipline;

 2) help you develop the conceptual and methodological skills needed to critically evaluate the validity of different technical and theoretical approaches; and

 3) assist you in designing and undertaking your own research, and build skills in writing, critical thinking, academic literacy, and oral presentation.

MY EXPECTATIONS: This is a graduate seminar and you are required to attend every seminar session. I take attendance very seriously. A portion of your grade will be based on your contributions to discussions and you must be there to participate. Beyond this, attendance plays a role determining borderline grades. If you have a valid reason for not attending class, please advise me in advance.

Class members are expected to have read and be prepared to discuss the weekly reading assignments. This is critical. The readings and class discussions are integral components of this paper. Again, a significant portion of your grade is based on your participation in class discussions.

READINGS: There is no text for the class. A number of papers are assigned each week and must be read prior to  the relevant seminar meeting. I suggest you read the papers in the order they are listed, which is typically (but not always) from general to more specific coverage of a given topic. These materials are central to the seminar discussions.

The papers are largely available electronically as Anthro 701 course materials. There are a few exceptions where more than one chapter of a book is needed. I have requested that these books be put in the Short Loan Collection Anthro 701.

ASSESSMENT (TERM I):                                            Term Pts              Year Pts (701A & 701B)
Essay 1 (2000 words)                                                     30                    15 pts

Annotated bibliography                                                 10                      5 pts

Essay 2 presentation                                                      10                      5 pts

Essay 2 (3000 words)                                                     40                    20 pts

Seminar & exercise participation                                  10                      5 pts
   TOTALS                                                                       100                   50 pts

ASSESSMENT (TERM II): 
Technique review & case study                                  25 pts
Essay/Project (c. 2500 words)                                    20 pts
Seminar & exercise participation                                 5 pts

COURSEWORK FORMAT: All coursework must be typed using 1.5 spacing and 12 pt font. Outside of specification given here, please follow the general format rules described in the Anthropology Guide to M.A. and Ph.D. thesis preparation (available from the Anthropology web site). Use Current Anthropology bibliographic style. 

DEADLINES FOR COURSEWORK: All assignments must be handed in to my mail box on the due date, not later than 4:00 pm. In fairness to the other students, late work will be penalized. All course work that counts towards assessment has to be returned to me, so I can forward it to the External Assessor for review at the end of the year.

UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS: The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you will be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due.