ANTHRO 367 : The Anthropology of Human Remains

Arts

2022 Semester Two (1225) (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. In this course you will be introduced to the various ways in which we study the dead. 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. The course is designed for students intending to do further study in archaeology or biological anthropology but may be of interest to those wanting to go into the field of forensics or who are interested in human evolution since it develops a further understanding of the human body and taphonomy. It focuses upon the reality of archaeological practices including an extensive introduction to human osteology through lab exercises in which you will learn about the human skeleton. 

The course is offered concurrently with the Stage 2 paper Anthro 235 and is taught every second year.  It is part of both the anthropology major in Arts and the anthropological science major in Science. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ANTHRO 200 or 201 with a minimum B– grade Restriction: ANTHRO 235

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
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. Explain the limitations and promises of the analysis of human remains (Capability 1.1)
  2. Evaluate analyses of human remains and mortuary practice (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)
  3. Apply the first principles of analysis of human remains within an archaeological context (Capability 1.2 and 3.1)
  4. Identify and explain what constitutes best practice in relation to human remains (Capability 2.1 and 3.1)
  5. Master and demonstrate research skills including development of research questions (Capability 2.3, 3.1 and 3.2)
  6. Write coherent evaluations of research and concepts relevant to course content (Capability 1.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  7. Analyse by undertaking independent research, identifying and using theoretical frameworks and concepts, use reference databases effectively to identify relevant sources (Capability 2.1, 2.3, 3.2 and 4.1)
  8. Practice skills for cultural resource management and archaeology – including appreciation of legislation, ethics, and the excavation and recording of burials and human remains. Use first principles in working with human remains and burials (Capability 5.1, 6.1 and 6.3)
  9. Present work in a written format concisely and accurately; able to debate sensitive issues (Capability 4.2, 4.3 and 6.3)
  10. Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues and the multiple responsibilities of a researcher, cultural sensitivity (Capability 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reading Quizzes 5% Individual Coursework
Essay including annotated bibliography and essay statement 40% Individual Coursework
Practical 25% Individual Test
Take Home Exam 30% Individual Examination

Next offered

Semester 2, 2023

Module

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  
  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 

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 per week and a fortnightly practical lab session. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will be done in person.
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including labs to receive credit for components of the course.
The course will not include live online events except for brief online introductions to each new online lab. 
Attendance on campus is not required for the test or exam.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Learning 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.

Course Texts 
Course readings will be made available via Canvas. 

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.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

University work is difficult and sometimes life gets in the way. The main thing is don’t let issues compound. Adopt as a matter of course the practice of talking to Judith and Caitlin during your labs, during our office hours, seeing us not just when things are wrong but when things are going right. At all times come and see us (contact details next page) as soon as things start to slide. We are interested in ensuring that you all do well in this course to take advantage of us and our expertise. 

If you need help with developing your writing skills or your ability to take effective notes, sign up with the Student Learning Centre. The Student Learning Centre is located in Room 320 of the Kate Edger Information Commons, and their hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. More information about their workshops and other services can be found online at www.library.auckland.ac.nz/student-learing/. You might also wish to go to the English Language Enrichment (ELE) in the Kate Edger Information Commons. They state “ If you think your English is holding you back from getting better grades, communicating effectively or participating confidently in university life, ELE on campus is a great place to be. You can use English language resources (DVDs, CDs, digital recordings, magazines, newspapers and books), get advice about your English (whatever your subject area), and participate in language learning groups. You can also use ELE computers in any way that supports your English language development”. 

Tuakana Arts Undergraduate Mentoring Programme 
Tuakana Tutors are available to help Maori and Pacific Island students and others through a range of opportunities such as study groups, skill based workshops, and one-on-one assistance. Your Tuakana tutor for this course will be introduced both in person (in class) and via Canvas early on in the course. 

Disabled students 
If you have a disability that affects your capacity to participate in this course, please contact the convenor as soon as possible. Additional information for disable students can be found at the University of Auckland Disability Services website.

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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

The course syllabus has more detailed information and should be downloaded from Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2021 03:30 p.m.