2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Archaeology & Biological Anthropology A
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yoshimi Takuwa / James Frances Loftus
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.T116
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 2, 2024
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course introduces the interdisciplinary study of Archaeology and Biological Anthropology, with a focus on understanding human health, adaptation, and culture through the examination of material culture and human skeletal remains. Students will explore the methods and theories employed in archaeological and biological anthropological research, gaining insights into the ways in which past populations adapted to their environments, interacted with one another, and expressed their cultures through material remains.
Course description and aims
1. To familiarize students with the key pillars of Archaeological and Biological Anthropological practice
2. To develop critical thinking and analytical skills through the analysis of material culture and human skeletal remains evidence
3. To encourage students to engage in scholarly debates on current ethical issues in Archaeology and Biological Anthropological
Keywords
Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Skeletal Remains, Material Culture
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
1) Students are required to submit a comment paper with short questions or interests regarding the contents of the lecture. Discussion related to those questions will be conducted in the following class.
2) Due to the nature of the class contents, photos or discussions which some students may find upsetting will be utilized (human skeletons, human evolution, death, photos of diseases, etc.).
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | What is Archaeology & Biological Anthropology? | Understand the following: • Definition and scope of the disciplines • Historical development of Archaeological & Biological Anthropological methods |
| Class 2 | Human Evolution and Biological/ Cultural Adaptations | Understand the following: • Evolutionary trends in hominins • Earliest archaeological examples of anatomically modern humans |
| Class 3 | Case Study 1: Hunter-Gatherer Society | Understand the following: • Tracing percentage of hunter-gatherers over time • Diversity in hunter-gatherer societies across the world |
| Class 4 | Case Study 2: The Neolithic Revolution | Understand the following: • Origins and spread of agriculture • Human genetic and cultural adaptations to agricultural society • State formation and conflict |
| Class 5 | Case Study 3: Ancient Identity Expression | Understand the following: • Interpretation of cultural identity through relics and body modification • Burial practices, art, and artifacts of the Çatalhöyük site |
| Class 6 | Archaeology and Biological Anthropology in the Modern World | Discuss the following • Modern Applications of Archaeology & Biological Anthropology • The future of the fields • Ethical considerations in research |
| Class 7 | Final Project and Review | • Final project presentations • Course review and discussion |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course materials.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reference materials for the next class to be distributed in print form during the class
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class engagement (in-class comment paper): 25%, Short report: 25%, Final Presentation: 50%
Related courses
- LAH.S447 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences56:Archaeology & Biological Anthropology
- LAH.T215 ： Archaeology & Biological Anthropology B
- LAH.T319 ： Archaeology & Biological Anthropology C
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
loftus[at]ila.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment
Other
There is a possibility that the class schedule may change