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IN YOUR BONES: THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF DEATH

ARC3DDO

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject students will be introduced to the archaeological analysis of human remains - in order to answer key questions about the lives and deaths of people in the past, and our evolution as a species. We will also explore some of the diverse past societal attitudes towards death in the archaeological record - from the earliest evidence of deliberate and ritual treatments of human remains, to the enshrinement of death, burial, and the afterlife through ritual and religious practices around the world. Through hands-on laboratory classes, the subject will introduce students to a range of scientific techniques that allow us as archaeologists to assess an individual's age at death; their sex; the activities, accidents, and diseases that formed their lives (and often deaths); and even their diets and movements, all of which can be recorded in their (or your) bones. Finally, we will examine the ethical issues stemming from the archaeological analysis of human remains, from modern best-practices to past scandals and abuses.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Andy Herries

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: Yes

Learning Activities: Tutorial discussions, workshops and in-class activities.

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Students must have completed at least 120cp of subjects OR by subject coordinator's approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: ARC3SCI

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate the ability to locate and appropriately use relevant sources investigate and present justifiable arguments about the validity and usefulness of scientific techniques applied to osteoarchaeological remains.
02. Explain and discuss scientific techniques applied to human osteoarchaeological remains in both the field and the laboratory. This includes the principles behind the techniques and what they are used for and their limitations.
03. Examine and analyse scientific data applied to archaeological problems, generating arguments based on appropriate graphical and numerical manipulations
04. Synthesise and communicate an understanding of current trends, arguments, and controversies in areas of archaeological and forensic science.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Andy Herries

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.00 hour laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Regular on-line quizzes through LMS (800 word equivalent)

N/AQuizzesIndividualNo20SILO1, SILO2

Two 750-word workshop assignments (Total 1500 words)

N/AAssignmentIndividualNo40SILO1, SILO2, SILO3

1500 word essay

N/AAssignmentIndividualNo40SILO1, SILO2, SILO4