Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - ANG6536
Tracking Number - 2633
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Current Status:
Approved by SCNS - 2015-01-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: to GC 5/6/13; pending revision to objectives. Faculty emailed 5/10/13; emailed again 12/5/13. updated 1/28/14. Approved 3/4/14. To USF Sys 3/19. to SCNS 3/27/14. Nmbr 6586 apprd as 6536. Effective 1/1/15
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2011-10-05
- Department: Anthropology
- College: AS
- Budget Account Number: 120500000
- Contact Person: Heide Castaneda
- Phone: 8130742138
- Email: hcastaneda@usf.edu
- Prefix: ANG
- Number: 6536
- Full Title: Bioarchaeology
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Bioarchaeology
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites: none
- Corequisites: none
- Course Description: Overview of methods and theories used to study the relationship between behavioral, cultural, and environmental factors and human biology, as reflected in human skeletal remains.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This course is an elective for students in anthropology (both MA and PhD), and can also serve as an elective for students in criminology. In addition, this course would be central to the department of anthropology's proposed concentration in archaeology and forensic sciences
Average student enrollment in past semesters has been 14.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? Yes, 3 or more times
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Extensive theoretical and methodological knowledge in forensic anthropology and bio-archaeology
The instructor teaching the course needs a PhD degree.
- Objectives: 1) Learn to identify the various methods used to investigate topics in bioarchaeology & skeletal biology.
2) Learn how to interpret results from the various methods, focusing on quantitative methods in the area of Bioarchaeology.
3) Apply appropriate methods to a specific, original research problem.
4) Apply critical thinking skills through reading and discussion of literature.
5) Develop academic writing skills through writing of a research paper on a focused topic & weekly essays.
- Learning Outcomes: In this course students will:
1) Identify the various methods used to investigate topics in bioarchaeology and skeletal biology
2) Interpret results from the various methods, focusing on quantitative methods
3) Apply appropriate methods to a specific research problem
4) Apply critical thinking skills through reading and discussion of literature
5) Develop academic writing skills through writing of a research paper on a focused topic & weekly essays.
- Major Topics: Introduction to bio-archaeology; mortuary variation;Identity in bio-archaeology; Specific Methods for Reconstructing Life through Skeletal Biology; Practical Applications & Lessons from the Field
- Textbooks: Pearson MP. 2001. The Archaeology of Death and Burial. Texas A&M University
Anthropology.
Knudson KJ and Stojanowski CM (eds.) 2009. Bioarchaeology and Identity in the Americas.
University Press of Florida.
Grauer AL (ed.) 1995. Bodies of Evidence: Reconstructing History through Skeletal Analysis.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Additional set of articles and book chapters
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: 100 points Research Paper
50 points Research Presentation
50 points Discussion Leader, In-Class Participation & Projects
110 points Reading Evaluation Essays
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: Discussion Leaders - Class Attendance and Participation:
This is a seminar consisting of readings and discussions therefore, class attendance is necessary for an open dialog. Skeletal materials and hands-on exercises related to various topics may be used in class, but a basic knowledge of human osteology is required. Since the class only meets once a week, a large amount of material will be covered during each session. It is important to have the readings completed prior to class so that students are prepared to discuss the assigned topics.
Each week different students will be responsible for leading the discussion. Discussion leaders will need to prepare questions ahead of class to disseminate that day. Dates will be assigned to students on the first day of the course as to when they serve as discussion leader.
Reading Evaluation Essay:
Each week a 2-3 page essay is due which integrates the readings, synthesizing the main concepts and themes for the week. We will review the essays in class. Students will be given feedback to help improve writing skills. Essays should be typed, double space, 1 inch margins, 12 pt font and handed in at the beginning of each class (not emailed to the instructor). Late assignments are not accepted.
Research Paper and Presentation:
A semester long research project will be initiated by each student. Since this is a graduate course, original research is encouraged. The research project will result in a written paper and oral presentation at the end of the semester. The research paper should follow the author guidelines for format and reference citations of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology: (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jabout/28130/ForAuthors.html)
Oral presentations should follow the guidelines (10 minute presentation with power point slides) also used by the American Association of Physical Anthropology for the presentation of scientific papers. By using these standards, students will be prepared to present papers at professional meetings. This project is worth a substantial portion of the total grade. Note that the oral presentation takes the place of a final exam.
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Make up work will only be available in cases of 1) a documented medical emergency or 2) major religious observances that necessitate absence from class. In the case of the latter, the student must present notice in writing to the instructor by the next class meeting.
- Program This Course Supports: MA, PhD, and Dual degree programs in Applied Anthropology
- Course Concurrence Information:
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.