Studiegids

nl en

Zoology (BA3)

Vak
2018-2019

Year

Bachelor year 3.

Admission requirements

BA2 course Bioarchaeology (or equivalent level) obtained.

Description

Archaeozoological and palaeozoological research requires knowledge of wide-ranging techniques and research methods, their application possibilities and their appropriate analysis and presentation of data. To do so, seminar-lab sessions will introduce sampling and cataloguing practices, faunal evolutionary trends and identification of Holocene and Pleistocene faunal remains - among other methodologies.

Hands-on work and seminar discussions will help to develop research and technical skills used in the discipline that can actually broaden to a more general archaeological scope. Familiarising and interpreting faunal data and research papers are important to highlight the contribution of archaeozoology and palaeozoology to archaeological questions, and to encourage an active participation in palaeo/archaeozoological discussions and debates.

All these aspects will be addressed in detail with the study of a faunal collection from an archaeological site where both environmental and anthropic perspectives will be addressed. The site for study will depend on what is available at the time.

Course objectives

  • Knowledge of and insight into the research methods and techniques, and their application possibilities within palaeozoology and archaeozoology;

  • Knowledge of and insight into the framing of these specialisations within archaeology;

  • Knowledge of and insight into the diversity and evolution of the different animal groups in the Quaternary;

  • Ability to recognise and identify skeletal elements (including bones, teeth and shells) of different animal species;

  • Ability to describe zoological material according to the standards used in the subject field;

  • Ability to identify and distinguish diagnostic features of zoological material and those of different types of processing traces on the material;

  • Ability to conduct palaeozoological or archaeozoological research by studying animal remains using various research methods, and ability to interpret the analysis data;

  • Ability to conduct a faunal research and combine the results with other aspects of an archaeological study;

  • Ability to write a basic report of faunal research of this discipline;

  • Ability to participate in palaeo- archaeozoological discussions and debates;

  • Ability to interpret research papers on molecular archaeology.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the BA3 time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar;

  • Practical session.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 14 hours of lecture/seminars (1 ec);

  • 42 hours of practical (3 ec);

  • 420 pages of literature (3 ec);

  • Report of 3,500-4,000 words (3 ec).

Assessment method

  • Report (60%);

  • Practical attendance and assignments (30%);

  • Participation in discussions (10%).

All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the BA3 examination schedule.

Reading list

To be handed out during class.

Registration

Registration via uSis is mandatory.

  • The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).

  • BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.

  • The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.

Registration 'Contractonderwijs'

All information (costs, registration, entry requirements, etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).

Contract students will only be admitted after permission from dr. Llorente.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. L. (Laura) Llorente Rodriguez.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.