ANTHRO 348 : Perspectives on Human Growth

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Adopts evolutionary and biocultural perspectives in examining patterns of human growth and maturation. Human developmental patterns are placed within an evolutionary framework using evidence from non-human primates and earlier hominid remains. Variability within and among human populations in growth and developmental timing is considered in terms of genetics interacting with physical, biotic and social factors.

Course Overview

This course presents information about human growth and maturation at multiple levels, from basic information about skeletal and dental growth histology, through different methods of research into somatic growth and development, to consideration of the evolution of biosocial processes that influence our growth patterns and related life-histories characteristics as they compare to other closely related species. Students will identify and develop a specific issue from within one of three possible topics. The substantial additional reading done as part of development of an issue will supplement and relate to materials presented in lectures and course readings. Note that the use of the term ‘hominid’ in the course prescription above is now out of date. It should be ‘hominin’ given fairly recent changes in primate taxonomy. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ANTHRO 201 or 60 points in Anthropology

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Learn to recognise and accurately describe hypotheses about growth, their theoretical bases, and the quality of the evidence used in their support (Capability 1.1, 1.3 and 2.1)
  2. Become familiar with different approaches to research focusing on growth and development of various tissues; as part of this understand their strengths and limitations (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Understand the basic patterns related to the rate and timing of growth in various tissues within individuals, how they are related to various life stages, and how these patterns may be assessed (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3.1)
  4. Become familiar with some of the hypotheses regarding evolution of a distinctive human pattern of growth and maturation, the kinds of evidence and interpretations related to these hypotheses, and how they relate to our life history and socioecology. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)
  5. Understand the range of variation possible in various parameters of growth and maturation within and among populations and communities today, and be aware of hypotheses that attempt to account for such variation. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Exercises (2) 15% Individual Coursework
Article Review 15% Individual Coursework
Research Essay 25% Individual Coursework
First In-Class Test 20% Individual Test
Second In-Class Test 25% Individual Test

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 2.5 hours of lectures, a 0.5 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

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.

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.

Published on 10/07/2020 01:19 p.m.