SECTION I: COURSE IDENTIFICATION COURSE SYLLABUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF AURORA INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY Fall 2009 COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTION: Studies the basic principles of forensic anthropology, an applied field within the discipline of physical anthropology. Includes the study of the human skeleton, practical application of physical anthropology and archaeology, and judicial procedure, as they relate to the identification of human remains within a medico-legal context. COURSE PREFIX/SECTION: ANT 201 CREDIT HOURS: 3 TIME/DAY: F 8:00-10:40 am LOCATION: C-311 INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Hirsh E-MAIL: Desire 2 Learn email or Elizabeth.Hirsh@ccaurora.edu TELEPHONE: 303-360-4723 MAILBOX: CTC C-210 OFFICE: CTC F-103D OPEN LAB/OFFICE HOURS: REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS: Must be brought to class every meeting unless otherwise instructed. Byers SN. (2008). Introduction to Forensic Anthropology: A Textbook, Third Edition. Boston: Pearson Publishing. ISBN: 0205512291. Byers, SN. (2008). Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual, Second Edition. Boston: Pearson Publishing. ISBN: 0205532365 Calculator DESIRE 2 LEARN: You can access Desire 2 Learn by going directly to https://cca.desire2learn.com/. E-MAIL: All students enrolled in the Community College of Aurora are assigned a college email account, and this email account is the college s primary means of communication with students. You can get directions to your E- mail through the registration system (MyCommunity Ed). CCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact the Accessibility Services Office (ASO) Director, Reniece Jones, at your earliest convenience. The ASO is located in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in the Student Centre building at the CentreTech campus, in Room S-202E. Arrangements may also be made at the Lowry Campus. You may contact Reniece at (303)361-7395 V/TDD/VP, (303)340-7551 FAX, or e-mail: Reniece.Jones@CCAurora.edu. For more information, go to: http://www.ccaurora.edu/students/academic/accessibility/index.shtml. Emergency evacuation procedures will be discussed in class.
SECTION II: COURSE OUTLINE AND STUDENT OUTCOMES GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF AURORA: The Instructional Unit has identified the following lifelong skills that are the foundation for your course of study at CCA: Written and Oral Communication, Critical Inquiry, Intra and Interpersonal Responsibility, Quantitative Reasoning, Technology, and Aesthetic Perception. This course will focus on the following lifelong skills: [Critical Inquiry] Formulating solutions to problems by separating information into component parts, determining the relevancy of data, evaluating facts and inferences and recognizing logical fallacies in reasoning. Evaluating alternative viewpoints, arguments, belief systems, and the like in order to analyze the divergent views of others and to interpret behaviors without making stereotypical or prejudicial judgments. [Quantitative Reasoning] Illustrating basic mathematical functions i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; estimating and judging the reasonableness of numerical results; and thinking proportionally. Interpreting and applying statistical information in various forms, e.g. charts, graphs. [Communication] Constructing effective written and oral communications using content, organization and delivery techniques that convey accurate, concise and complete information appropriate to topic, audience, occasion and purpose. Creating written communications using grammar, sentence structure, mechanics (i.e. capitalization, punctuation), spelling skills and content appropriate to defined standards or criteria. [Personal Responsibility] Determining appropriate ways to work successfully with people of diverse physical capabilities, cultural, ethnic, religious, philosophical, and ethical orientations. Demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, manage, and successfully complete a variety of tasks and projects within defined time lines. Analyze and accept responsibility for personal behaviors and interactions. Successful students will have shown through in-class exercises and specific course assignments the ability to pursue and retain knowledge, comprehend the various significant levels of acquired knowledge (analyzing and identifying their various components), evaluate the significance of that knowledge, synthesize ideas from multiple sources, and apply what is learned to work and life situations.
Through assigned readings, class participation, writing assignments, and examinations, the successful student will be able to: 1. The Nature of the Discipline a. define and discuss the methods of research and investigation utilized by forensic anthropology. b. discuss the history, purpose, and features of the field and its relation and relative position within the general framework of academic disciplines. c. identify the applied aspects of the field of anthropology and their relevance to public life. d. identify and asses the occupational opportunities which exist for individuals wishing to pursue a career in forensic anthropology. 2. Methods of Forensic Anthropology a. discuss the basic techniques of forensic research and analysis, including recovery techniques, forensic excavation techniques, and laboratory analysis. b. identify the medico-legal methods of forensic anthropology, including autopsy and postmortem analysis c. identify the ethical rules of the field of forensic anthropology. 3. Judicial System a. identify the related legal rules of classifying and interpreting evidence, jurisdiction, and causes of death. b. investigate the legal expectations of forensic anthropology, including testifying as an expert. c. discuss the role of anthropologists at scenes of mass death, international human rights violations, and genocide. 4. Crime Scene Investigation a. identify remains of medico-legal significance, including distinguishing recent from archaeological remains and human from animal remains. b. discuss the protocols of evidence collection, documentation, mapping, and report writing. 5. Human Osteology a. identify, by visual analysis, the bones and teeth of the human skeleton. b. identify the function of bone and teeth. 6. Interpretation and Identification a. identify a biological profile, including the characteristics to determine the sex, age, ancestry, and stature of skeletal remains. b. identify the characteristics of trauma and pathology, causes of death, and the estimation of time since death. c. recognize the characteristics of antemortem and postmortem skeletal conditions. d. identify taphonomic processes that can affect human remains. e. discuss the advanced medical techniques of identification, including fingerprinting, genetic analysis, facial reconstruction, photographic analysis, etc.
SECTION III: EVALUATION PROCEDURES ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES: This course will cover selected chapters of the book and additional selected handouts. Student progress may be evaluated through a combination of activities such as, quizzes, papers, discussions, tests, and participation. Timely completion of assignments, prompt attendance, participation in class activities and discussions, and the tested ability to apply learned knowledge to common-life experiences will weigh toward the grade. DESIRE 2 LEARN: An online Desire 2 Learn (D2L) shell has been created for this course, to which all of you are registered. You can access D2L by going directly to https://cca.desire2learn.com/. Use D2L to access the syllabus, retrieve supplemental handouts, check announcements, and other course features. Get in the habit of checking it daily. If you do not feel comfortable with the technological requirements of this course, it is your responsibility to attend a training session provided free for CCA students. ATTENDANCE: Because participation in class labs will form an important part of the learning experience for the course, regular attendance is required. Students are expected to attend every class, to arrive on time, and to stay for the full class period. Attendance will be taken daily at the start of class. CLASS POLICIES: Policy of respect: Some of the material you will be using is human. These are remains of loved ones. Respectful behavior is required. Food and drinks are allowed in the lab, but only on the back table and NEVER near the human remains. Hands should be washed before and after handling remains. Follow all rules about proper handling techniques. This is a seminar and lab style class. This means that each class period will consist of discussions of specified topics. All students are required to actively participate in discussions and will complete questions and/or prepare summaries prior to each class period. Class may include a combination of brief instructor-led lectures, quizzes, lab exercises, or other activities to facilitate learning. Electronic submission of assignments is permitted, however, technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse for late submission. It is the responsibility of the student to verify that the instructor receives assignments ontime (by scheduled class period). Late homework assignments will be penalized one letter grade and will not be accepted after one-week past the original due date. Labs may only be made up during a scheduled open lab period and will be penalized one letter grade per class. Extra credit is unlikely. Cell phones must be turned off or turned to silent/vibrate during class. Phones will not be answered in class. Text-messaging is not permitted in class. GRADING CRITERIA: Grades will be calculated as follows: Quizzes 250 points (19%) 1300-1170 = A Written Homework (Chapter exercises, CSI, Final project) 400 points (31%) 1169-1040 = B Labs 650 points (50%) 1039-910 = C 909-780 = D Below 780 = F QUIZZES/TESTS: There will be three quizzes, each comprised of practical identification and written portions. The final exam is cumulative. You cannot make-up the practical portion of an exam, but the written section may be made-up at the LRC testing center within one-week of the exam date. The written make-up will be different than the in-class version. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS (Chapter exercises, CSI, Final project): Chapter homework assignments (200 points total)- Answer assigned chapter exercises, including reviewing general knowledge, analyzing and problem solving, critical thinking, and application of forensic techniques in short case studies.
CSI Assignment (50 points)- This assignment is meant for you to apply a critical eye to the popular presentation of forensics. You will need to select an hour-long television program to watch that has a forensic anthropology theme, either non-fiction crime shows (e.g., Forensic Files, The New Detectives, etc.) or fiction forensics shows (e.g., Bones, some episodes of the CSI series or NCIS, etc.). Not all crime shows, and not all CSItype shows are directly relevant to forensic anthropology, so you should check the program/episode description before watching. You will write a reaction to the program and address the following components: Provide a brief introduction (a short paragraph) to summarize the forensic content or case of the episode Describe and analyze the forensic methods used in the case. Identify and define at least 10 vocabulary words that you have learned this semester and that are used in the episode Explain inconsistencies in the reality of forensic anthropology and how it is portrayed on television. Correct grammar, spelling, and complete sentences are required. Final Report (150 points)- You will write a research paper that focuses on a topic of forensic science that you want to investigate further. Everyone must choose a different topic. Possible topics include investigating, analyzing, and taking a stance on a forensic anthropology controversy researching and analyzing a medico-legal case, historical case, or archaeological case and applying forensic techniques to draw conclusions Format: 5-7 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1-inch margins. You must use at least 4 sources (academic books, professional websites, and/or journal articles) for your research. These sources should be reflected by using proper citation and bibliography form. You can use, MLA, APA, or Chicago-style. VIDEOS & LABS: Videos may be shown in this class. They present valuable information that cannot be gained from a textbook. You are responsible for the content of the videos. In-class laboratory exercises will give you hands-on practice with forensics and osteological concepts and analysis of osteological data. M ost class periods will involve active participation in labs. Lab worksheets are to be completed in class and turned in at the end of the class period. Lab exercises make up an important part of your grade. INSTRUCTIONAL POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is the unauthorized use of assistance with intent to deceive an instructor or any other individual responsible for evaluating a student s work. Note the following: Submission of any materials not prepared by students but presented as their own. The unauthorized possession and/or use of notes, books, or the soliciting of assistance from another student during an examination. Illegitimate possession or disposition of examination or test materials and/or answer keys to tests and examinations. Plagiarism refers to the use of another person s work without giving proper credit to that person. A student must give proper credit through the use of appropriate citation format when (a) copying verbatim another person s work (i.e., words, phrases, sentences, or entire passages); (b) paraphrasing another person s work (i.e., borrowing but rewording that person s facts, opinions, or ideas); and (c) summarizing another s work (i.e., use of one s own words to condense longer passages into a sentence or two). CONSEQUENCES OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: When dishonesty is evident, the following minimum sanctions will be applied: First offense: The student will receive an F or Zero as the grade for the assignment. In addition, the first incident may result in the loss of testing privileges in the Learning Resource Center for the current and next semester in which the student is enrolled in the college. Second offense: The student may receive an F for the course and may be expelled from the class. A second offense may also result in permanent loss of testing privileges in the Learning Resource Center. Third offense: The student may receive an F for the course and may be expelled from the college.
SECTION IV: PRELIMINARY COURSE SCHEDULE Students will be responsible for completing each reading assignment prior to that assignment s scheduled review as outlined on the schedule. Important dates and activities are marked in bold-faced type below. The instructor reserves the right to change the daily teaching schedule to facilitate learning and understanding. Assignment due dates and the testing schedule may change with as much advance notice as possible. Students will still be required to fulfill all assignments as outlined unless otherwise notified. September 9 is the last day to drop this course with refund; November 23 is the last day to withdraw from this course. Date Topic Reading Activities and Homework 8/28 Course Overview Intro to Forensic Anthropology Chapter 1 and 19 Lab- 1.1 and 1.2 9/4 Overview of the Skeleton Chapter 2, pgs. 28-38, 52-54; Quiz- general skeleton, anatomical directions Lab- 2.1 (Skull) 9/11 Osteology Chapter 2, pgs. 38-43 Lab- 2.2 (Axial and Appendicular skeleton) 9/18 Osteology Chapter 2, pgs. 43-51 Lab- 2.3 and 2.4 (Appendicular skeleton) 9/25 Odontology Chapter 2, pgs. 54-58 Lab- 2.5 (Appendicular skeleton and Odontology) 10/2 Forensic Context Chapters 3 and 4 Lab- 3.2-3.3, review skeleton 10/9 Forensic Examination Chapter 5 and 6 Quiz- Chapters 1-4, 19 Lab- 5.1-5.3, 6.2-6.4A 10/16 Ancestry Chapter 7 Lab- 7.1-7.4 10/23 Sex and Age Chapter 8 and 9 Lab- 8.1-8.5, 9.5-9.8 CSI assignment due 10/30 Stature and Trauma Chapter 10 and 11 Lab-10.1-10.2, 11.1-11.4 11/6 Trauma Chapter 12, 13, and 14 Quiz- Chapters 5-10 11/13 Trauma Chapter 12, 13, and 14 Lab- 12.1, 13.1-13.3, 14.1 11/20 Antemortem and Postmortem Changes Chapter 15 and 16 Lab- 15-1-15.3, 16.2 Final Project due 11/27 Thanksgiving Break -- No class 12/4 Individualization Chapter 17 and 18 Lab- 17.2-17.3 12/11 Final quiz Review Final quiz- Chapters 1-19