ANTHRO 235 : The Anthropology of Human Remains

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Human remains reflect the lives of the dead as well as the lives of those who buried them. The course introduces students to the various ways in which we can study the dead. It covers three areas: the interpretation of mortuary practices, the interpretation of past lives from skeletal remains, and the practice of burial archaeology in the southern hemisphere.

Course Overview

Human remains reflect the lives of the dead as well as the lives of those who buried them. Often they are the most gripping evidence from the past (think of mummies, bog bodies and so on). In this course you will be introduced to the various ways in which we study the dead and how we relate the study of human remains to the context in which they are found. The course will cover three areas: the interpretation of mortuary practices, the interpretation of past lives from human remains and the practice of burial archaeology in the southern hemisphere. We explicitly focus on the cross-over between biological anthropology and archaeology, so you will be introduced to the relevance of the two subdisciplines for each other. In addition we will discuss archaeological practice, particularly in relation to this part of the world. 
 
In lectures we will use examples from across the world to introduce you to the area of bioarchaeology of human remains. We will demonstrate how different research questions and theoretical perspectives lead to different outcomes and give you a chance in the course of labs to do your own original analysis of a burial monument. In labs, which are based around a series of exercises, we will work towards identifying how to analyse human remains in an archaeological context and what is best practice in relation to human remains. Ultimately we want you to understand the limitations and promises of the analysis of human remains. 
 
This means there are more general skills we will focus upon which will help in future employment. In particular the lectures and labs will be focused upon developing your ability to undertake independent research, develop some practical skills for cultural resource management and archaeology, enhance communication skills in both oral and written format and developing an awareness of ethical issues and the multiple responsibilities of a researcher.

This course is offered concurrently at  Stage 2 and Stage 3 levels (ANTHRO 367) and is taught  every second year. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points in Anthropology or 60 points passed Restriction: ANTHRO 367

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the limitations and promises of the analysis of human remains (Capability 1.1)
  2. Evaluate human bioarchaeological analyses (Capability 2.1)
  3. Identify the first principles of analysis of human remains within an archaeological context (Capability 1.3)
  4. Identify what constitutes best practice in relation to human remains (Capability 5.1)
  5. Master and demonstrate basic research skills (Capability 2.3)
  6. Write coherent explanations of research and concepts relevant to course content (Capability 4.1)
  7. Develop and demonstrate: awareness of ethical issues and the multiple responsibilities of a researcher, cultural sensitivity (Capability 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  8. Practical skills for cultural resource management and archaeology – including appreciation of legislation, ethics, and the excavation and recording of burials and human remains (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)
  9. Explain and communicate: presenting work in an oral and written format concisely and accurately; able to debate sensitive issues (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reading Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Lab Assignment 1 20% Individual Coursework
Lab Assignment 2 20% Individual Coursework
Lab Assignment 3 20% Individual Test
Take home exam 30% Individual Examination

Next offered

2022

Module

WK Date Lecture topic 
1: Introduction to funerary archaeology, integrated bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology? 

2: Mortuary landscapes 
-- SYMMONDS ST CEMETERY – an introduction to mortuary archaeology 
-- MEET AT SYMMONDS ST CEMETERY – CORNER OF K Road and Symmonds St at 12.05.  

3: The Anthropology of Death 
-- Rites of passage, liminality, ethnoarchaeology 

4: Reading the body 
-- The body as symbol, embodiment, mummification, secondary burial, compound disposal. 

5: Status, Rank and Power 
-- Identifying inequality in the bioarchaeological record – what do we mean by inequality, status, and identity, status and graves, status and health 

6: Gender, labour and violence 
-- Sexing adult remains, sex vs gender, trauma and violence, kinship 
  
MID SEMESTER PERIOD 

7: Placing the dead. 
 -Intramural and extramural burials, territoriality, ancestors, persistence, taphonomy and preservation 

8: The human experience of death 
 -- Consciousness, monumentality, world religions, deviant death 

9: Politics of Death 

10: Death and Forensics 
 -- Forensic anthropology, mass disasters, anthropology and the law 

11: Ethics and best practice in New Zealand 
-- Ethics, legislation, ideas of the body, collaboration. 

12: Summing Up and Funerary Archaeology Karaoke 

Learning Resources

Parker Pearson, M 2002 The Archaeology of Death and Burial (any edition). Texas A&M University. 

[A copy will be in short loan, UBIK may stock a limited number but the book is readily available from Book Depository, Amazon and other on line book seller.  Make sure you have access prior to the semester.  If you are facing real trouble come and see me (Judith). ]

Additional readings will occasionally be posted as well as other sources of interest. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a one hour tutorial/lab, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Other Information

Employability: 
  • Able to analyse – undertaking independent research, identifying and using theoretical frameworks and concepts. 
  • Practical skills for cultural resource management and archaeology – including appreciation of legislation, ethics, and the excavation and recording of burials and human remains. 
  • Communication skills: presenting work in an oral and written format conscisely and accurately; able to debate sensitive issues 
  • Social and environmental skills: awareness of ethical issues and the multiple responsibilities of a researcher, cultural sensitivity.  

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Please note that while the lecture is recorded, tutorials/labs are essential content.  In addition lectures are interactive so that you will miss essential content and experience if you do not attend.  See recordings as ancillary assistance not as a replacement for attendance.  If you cannot attend lectures come and see me before the class starts. 

Academic Integrity

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 their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

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 (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

The course syllabus is available on Canvas and should be consulted for more detailed course information

Published on 19/12/2019 12:00 p.m.