2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses

Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts: Decoding Human Evolution & Culture through Innovative Science & Technology [2]

Academic unit or major: Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s): James Frances Loftus
Class Format: Lecture/Exercise (Livestream)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): 5-8 Mon
Class: -
Course Code: LAH.C660
Number of credits: 110
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 4Q
Syllabus updated: Sep 24, 2026
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

［Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts］are study group-type subjects that started in 2024. Each time, students will engage in discussions with guest lecturers who are active leaders in their various fields. Together with participating doctoral graduate students, we will explore new developments and possibilities in convergence science.
The maximum number of students is 50 per class. If the number is exceeded, a lottery will be held.
Lottery date: Enrollment status as of 12:00 on Monday, November 16 will be used to conduct the lottery.
Notification of lottery results: Results will be announced via LMS (or similar) by Friday, November 20.
After this date: If enrollment exceeds capacity due to additional registrations, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once the class is full.

Group work will be conducted in English. Moderators and instructors will give lectures in English, to be translated by ZOOM's translation function.
Students will take an e-learning session on research ethics in the first class. Submission of the “session-completion certificate” is required.

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How can cutting-edge technology help us uncover the complexities of human evolution and culture?
This course explores the intersection of archaeology, biological anthropology, and advanced scientific methods to investigate the past in new and innovative ways. Though rooted in the humanities, both archaeology and biological anthropology are highly scientific disciplines that rely on rigorous methodologies, data analysis, and hypothesis testing to reconstruct past human lives. Students will examine how emerging technologies, such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry for artifact reconstruction, and AI-driven analyses of ancient DNA and migration patterns, are transforming our understanding of human history.
More importantly, students will explore how their own research can contribute to reshaping the study of the past.

Course description and aims

1.　Understand the fundamentals of archaeology and biological anthropology, and learn how these fields integrate with scientific technologies.
2.　Learn research methods related to past human societies using digital technologies and computational science.
3.　Adopt interdisciplinary approaches and develop ways to expand research perspectives.
4.　Learn practical applications of cutting-edge technologies in archaeology and biological anthropology research.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

The instructor has participated in numerous archaeological excavations and has extensive experience in digitizing important material cultural heritage to preserve the past for future generations.
This course integrates real-world case studies from the instructor’s fieldwork, providing students with tangible examples that directly connect course content to practical archaeological scenarios.

Keywords

Archaeology & Biological Anthropology
Human Evolution & Culture
Computational & Digital Approaches
Technology & Innovation
Ancient Societies

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This course consists of 7 live classes conducted via Zoom, held on Mondays.
The class starts at 13:30 (5th-6th period) and ends around 17:05 (7th-8th period).
The duration of each class is 200 minutes.
Participation in the first class is mandatory.

＊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	[Dec. 7th] Instructor: James Frances Loftus (Institute of Science Tokyo) Lecture Title: Introduction, E-Learning Overview: Introduction to this course	Conduct the following: •　Introduction, E-Learning
Class 2	[Dec. 14th] Guest Speaker: James Frances Loftus (Institute of Science Tokyo) Lecture Title: Reading Shape: Geometric Morphometrics and Machine Learning in Ceramic Archaeology Overview: This lecture introduces the use of geometric morphometrics (elliptical Fourier analysis) and machine learning in the study of pottery. Drawing on Japanese ceramics from the Jomon and Yayoi through the Edo period and beyond, it shows how quantifying vessel shape can inform questions of chronology, production, and function, and considers both the potential and the limits of these methods for archaeological interpretation.	Taking into account the contents of the lecture, write your thoughts about the lecture and any questions you have on the provided comment paper and submit it via LMS during the class.
Class 3	[Dec. 21st] Guest Speaker: Fritz Hardtke (Macquarie University) Lecture Title: The Science of Rock Art Overview: This talk explores how ancient Egyptian rock art functions as a sophisticated information system, revealing links between environment, belief and social organisation. Drawing parallels with engineering problem-solving, it demonstrates how interdisciplinary methods, including 3D modelling and digital documentation, transform archaeological interpretation while challenging assumptions about innovation, resilience and the long history of human design thinking.	Taking into account the contents of the lecture, write your thoughts about the lecture and any questions you have on the provided comment paper and submit it via LMS during the class.
Class 4	[Jan. 4th] Guest Speaker: Emily Tour (University of Melbourne) Lecture Title: "Pots don't breed": Exploring the application of digital methods from the field of biology to archaeological research Overview: Well-established digital methods from the field of evolutionary biology are being increasingly applied to the study of archaeology, most notably geometric morphometrics and phylogenetics. This lecture will examine the adaptation of these methods to study ancient cultures and artefacts, considering both their successes and shortcomings in archaeological research.	Taking into account the contents of the lecture, write your thoughts about the lecture and any questions you have on the provided comment paper and submit it via LMS during the class.
Class 5	[Jan. 18th] Guest Speaker: Corey Noxon (R-GIRO, Ritsumeikan University) Lecture Title: Accessible Digital Archaeology Overview: This lecture will provide an overview of digital applications in archaeology and ways to increase accessibility for those new to the field and for institutions lacking deep financial resources. Primary focus will be on 3D digitization and basic GIS work.	Taking into account the contents of the lecture, write your thoughts about the lecture and any questions you have on the provided comment paper and submit it via LMS during the class.
Class 6	[Jan. 25th] Guest Speaker: Dan Osaka (The University Museum, The University of Tokyo) Lecture Title: Reconstructing Prehistoric Mortuary Processes through Bone Histology: A Histotaphonomic Perspective Overview: This lecture introduces histotaphonomy, which applies bone histology to archaeological remains to reconstruct postmortem processes and mortuary practices. Using Jomon-period burnt human and animal bones, it shows how macroscopic morphology, SEM, XRD, and radiocarbon dating can reveal cremation timing and inform taphonomic studies of unburnt remains in prehistoric hunter-gatherer mortuary contexts.	Taking into account the contents of the lecture, write your thoughts about the lecture and any questions you have on the provided comment paper and submit it via LMS during the class.
Class 7	[Feb. 1st] Lecture Title: Review, Presentations Instructor: James Frances Loftus (Institute of Science Tokyo) Overview: Review of this course, Student Presentations	Conduct the following: •　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 textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Please refer to the references provided in the course schedule
Necessary references will be provided before or during class

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Please refer to the references provided in the course schedule
Necessary references will be provided before or during class

Evaluation methods and criteria

Class engagement (in-class comment paper): 50%
Final project: 50%

Related courses

LAH.S447 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences56:Archaeology & Biological Anthropology

Prerequisites

While there are no specific instructions, note that English is the primary language used in this course, please make sure you feel confident conducting group work in English.

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

loftus.f.3f80[at]m.isct.ac.jp

Office hours

Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment