Course syllabus

ANTHRO 718A: Interpreting Biocultural Data

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

Course Convenor: 

Teachers:

Nicholas Malone: n.malone@auckland.ac.nz 

Heather Battles: h.battles@auckland.ac.nz 

 Course delivery format:

2 seminar hours per week

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 Summary of Course Description:              

This course addresses data sources, data collection, and ethics in relation to biocultural research, developing research skills and critical thinking. One component of the course focuses on data collection and analyses and aims to develop a robust understanding of both the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of research methods in a specific field, such as contemporary primatology. The other component focuses specifically on ethical research methods. Students are encouraged to tailor their assignments to their own particular research interests and data sources (living people, non-human primates, human remains, archival data, etc.), while considering the range of research conducted in biological anthropology and related fields and the importance of understanding and engaging with data and methods beyond their own particular specialisations. 

This course is normally taken in conjunction with 718B (in Semester 2).

 Course outcomes:

Students successfully completing the course should:

1. Understand the ethical dimensions of biocultural research and be familiar with the relevant guidelines, codes of ethics, and laws which apply to such research.
2. Be familiar with the institutional ethics review process.
3. Develop a working understanding of the major theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and methods in a specific field; and
4. Become proficient in navigating the many nuances and challenges of fieldwork in biological anthropology.

 Assessment Summary:

 Adds up to 50% of the assessment for 718A&B:

10% - Semester 1 participation

10% - Critical Article Reviews

10% - Field Exercises

10% - Ethics Literature Review

10% - Ethics Application 

 Weekly Topics:

TBA

 Prescribed Texts:

See Talis list (TBA) for assigned readings.

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

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. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.