Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module HUSS3201: RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT POPULATIONS

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS3201: RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT POPULATIONS

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • Completion of Level 2 HS/HHS or Phase I MBBS OR Evolutionary Anthropology (ANTH2061).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To extend students' understanding of the reconstruction of the biology, demography, health, nutrition and behaviour of ancestral populations.
  • Students will study the archaeological evidence for biological and social evolution, primarily focussing on human remains.
  • This course build upon knowledge introduced in the first and second year modules, Biological and Social Origins and Evolutionary Issues.

Content

  • The course will examine the evolution of human populations and their characteristics.
  • It will consider the kinds of evidence provided by the archaeological record and current issues in the reconstruction of past populations.
  • Aspects considered will be: demographic characteristics, changing patterns in health and nutrition and development of techniques in forensic anthropology.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will: have a comprehensive knowledge of the biology of behaviour of past human populations.
  • have a critical understanding of the evidence available for the reconstruction of human populations from the archaeological record.
  • be able to extract and integrate key concepts from primary research, produce a coherently argued report and analyse and interpret relevant subject data.
  • have practised skeletal analysis, osteometric techniques, data analysis and presentation, laboratory procedures and using the scientific method.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • .

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 6 3 in Michaelmas & Epiphany Terms, 1 in Easter Term 1 hours 6
      Seminars 10 3 in Michaelmas & Epiphany Terms 2 hours 20 ■ ■
      Preparation and Reading 174
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Research Project Component Weighting: 70%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      5000 word research project 100%
      Component: Seminar/Practical Write-up Component Weighting: 30%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      1000 word seminar or practical write-up 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      Project plan 500 words with feedback, literature review 1000 words with feedback and seminar workshop.

      ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University