Course syllabus

DSC_1270.JPG

 

                                         Well-Being Always Comes First

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there. For more information, look at this Canvas page, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

 

Course description

The emphasis in this paper is on the development of practical skills in the analysis of skeletonised human remains as well as an underlying understanding of the principles involved and the ability to evaluate work in this area whether archaeological or forensic.  The aim is to introduce you to the preliminaries of human osteology and to give you sufficient knowledge and experience to recognize when it is possible to identify remains, when it is not possible and when further work needs to be done.  There is a focus upon working in the Southern Hemisphere (dealing with high degrees of biological variability, the appropriate use of standards, and consideration of ethics). Classes include a weekly one to one and a half hour seminar where we explore research in the field and develop an understanding of best practice and a weekly one  to two hour practical.

Course Aims:

  1. To introduce students to the basics of human osteology so that they can identify elements and partial elements to side;
  2. To introduce students to the differentiation of human and animal bone in archaeological and forensic contexts;
  3. To have students understand the fundamental nature of bone as a living tissue;
  4. To have students understand the assumptions and principles that underlie the processes of human identification;
  5. To gain an appreciation of the particular nature of human identification and its ethical consideration s within the context of the southern hemisphere;

6. To have students develop a further understanding of the theoretical applications of osteological analysis to archaeological and forensic issues

Learning outcomes:

  1. understand the nature of bone, cartilage, enamel and joints
  2. be able to identify skeletal elements to side
  3. be able to distinguish human from relatively complete animal bones
  4. be able to apply the standard methods of ageing, sexing and identification to relatively complete remains
  5. to be able to hypothesise and distinguish indicators of taphonomic processes and some basic pathological processes;
  6. to be able to describe human remains accurately and precisely for archaeological or forensic applications;
  7. to be able to present that work in a professional manner in oral and written form;
  8. to be able to evaluate methods of analysis in a thorough manner;
  9. to be able to evaluate published work in the field with a particular focus upon theory, underlying assumptions and interpretation.

Assessment (indicative - to be finalised):

Seminar discussion paper (c750-1000 words)   (10%)     During semester

Critical evaluation of a method (c3000 words)    (40%)     Week 9 of semester (after midsemester period)

Lab tests (1 - 30 mins)                                        (10%)     Week 6 

Technical report (2000 words)                             (30%)     Week 15

Presentation of technical analysis                       (10%)     Week 14

Late work etc:

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 but if you are having trouble see me so we can sort out a strategy. In uncontrollable circumstances, such as illness, unforeseen event, you should seek an extension before the assignment is due if at all possible. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks but our interest is in having you manage your workload and be successful..

Seminars:

Martin, D et al. 2013 Bioarchaeology: An integrated approach to working with human remains. New York: Springer ISBN 978-1-4614-6377-1 (Available as an ebook) [BIO]

Lab Work:

Brickley, M and McKinley, J 2004 Guidelines to the Standards and Recording of Human Remains. Institute of Field Archaeologists Paper No. 7 http://www.babao.org.uk/HumanremainsFINAL.pdf
Mashies, E 2005 Human Osteology and Skeletal Radioology. Roca Baton: CRC Press (ebook)
White, T 2005 The Human Bone Manual. Boston: Elsevier and Academic Press

Detailed syllabus: Anthro 748_co_2018-3.docx

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due