Admission requirements
BA3 course Osteoarchaeology 1 and Osteoarchaeology 2 (or an advanced undergraduate Osteology class deemed to be equivalent by the instructor).
Description
This is a graduate seminar in advanced human osteology designed to further knowledge about what human remains can tell us about the past. This class is for students who already have comprehensive training in the identification and basic analysis of human skeletal remains. It will be necessary for students who are developing research topics for their Master’s theses in osteoarchaeology, and of value to students who want to acquire the knowledge necessary to undertake doctoral research that involves human osteology.
The course emphasises how the application of scientific methods and the integration of biological and archaeological evidence to research hypotheses can aid in enhancing our reconstructions of human history. Methods covered include forensic anthropology, growth‐related studies, biomechanics, ancient DNA, dental anthropology, stable isotope and trace element analysis, and metric and non‐metric variation.
The course is open to RMSc-Bioarchaeology students. Although participating in the same lectures, their assignments will have a different focus involving enhanced depth and critical review with additional minimum requirements for the number of referenced sources. Written (i.e. essays) and oral (i.e. presentations) assignments will involve researching a topic to achieve comprehension of its significance to the field as a whole, utilising critical thinking skills and formulating directions for innovative new research.
OpenCourseWare
OpenCourseWare displays elements of Bachelor and Master programmes provided at Leiden University, including the courses’ content, lectures, literature, and background information on the lecturers.
The courses’ content and materials are free to use.
See the OpenCourseWare page for this course.
Course objectives
To develop an understanding of current methodological and theoretical topics in biological anthropology;
To increase knowledge about science-based approaches within the field of osteoarchaeology;
To practice basic human osteology identification and reporting skills;
To develop professional presentation and instruction skills;
To develop critical thinking skills.
In addition to the above, RMSc-students develop:
Ability to critically review the significance of current research within the field as a whole;
Ability to report such reviews in written and oral formats;
Ability to formulate new and innovative directions of research.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lecture;
Open laboratory time.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
Lectures (21 hours, 1,5 ects);
Laboratory work (10 hours, 0,5 ects);
280 pages of literature (2 ects);
Essay (1,500-1,800 words, 1 ects).
Assessment method
Laboratory assignment (15%);
Presentation of textbook chapter (25%);
Participation (20%);
Research paper (separate components are an annotated bibliography, abstract, and the research paper) (40%).
To pass the course the final cumulative grade must be 6.0 or higher. Only the research paper can be retaken,
All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.
Reading list
M.A. Katzenberg & S. Saunders, Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton, 2nd edition. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. (2008);
Instructor and student assigned journal articles.
Registration
Registration for the course is not necessary, registration for the exam is mandatory. For instructions, see the Registration in uSis page.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact mw. dr. A.L. Waters.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.