Syllabus

Who:           April Garwin, MA

What:          Anth 6--Forensic  Anthropology

When:         Spring 2008 M 5:30-8:40 PM

Where:        Primarily, this room LS112, with occasional trips outside

Help!           Office: PS112 and by Arrangement

How:           Email:  april-garwin@redwoods.edu

Other:         Course web page:  www.redwoods.edu/instruct/agarwin

Welcome!

Like a great many biology, anatomy, and physiology courses, this class will utilize human skeletal elements.  If you have compelling religious, philosophical, or cultural objections to handling natural bone specimens, I am prepared to accommodate concerns by offering plastic replicas of certain skeletal items when possible.  Handle ALL anatomical specimens with EXTREME care—some are fragile; all are irreplaceable and must be handled respectfully.

Students should expect from me organized presentations, current information on the subject, thoughtful evaluation of assignments, timely return of graded assignments, and guidance in completing course requirements.  Please email me, or talk to me before or after class if you have any concerns during the semester.  You may request my home phone number for discussions, if necessary, but I am more available by email.

In return for a bold spirit of academic inquiry and integrity, I will offer you a fantastic class!

Required Texts & Sources

Byers, S.N.

2005.  Introduction to Forensic Anthropology: A Textbook, 2^nd edition.  Pearson.  ISBN:  0205435386

Recommended Texts & Sources

Bass, W.M.

1995.  Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual, 4^th edition.  Missouri Archaeological Society.  ISBN:  0943414814.

White, T.D. and P.A. Folkens

2000.  Human Osteology, 2^nd edition.  Academic Press.  ISBN:  0127466126.

Course Description

An examination of the science of solving crimes with anthropological data, especially that from human skeletal remains. Basic human skeletal anatomy will be taught in order to set the stage for examining details of criminal investigations. Students will learn how to initially estimate the sex and age of a given individual based on skeletal features. This course will outline the potential that forensic anthropology holds for the determination of population, cause of death, and individual identification. The benefits and problems presented by DNA analysis will be presented. Well-known case studies from around the world will be discussed, and the cultural consequences of forensic analyses will be examined.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, student should achieve the following:

1)       Define and describe the variety of areas researched by forensic anthropologists

2)       Explain the types of data that can be obtained from the study of human remains

3)       Utilize the internet and library to obtain forensic information

4)       Apply concepts and data learned in class lectures and readings to independent projects

5)       Select and defend viewpoints on controversial forensic topics

General Expectations

It is my expectation that students will: attend class regularly, prepare for each class, follow directions for completing assignments, complete assignments on time, participate safely, meaningfully, and respectfully in class, ask questions, and seek assistance, if necessary.

I expect you to turn off all your electronic devices before you step into my classroom.  Your electronic gadgets are distracting and annoy the Instructor and your fellow classmates.  Use of ANY unauthorized electronic device is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during Class, including but not limited to Lectures and Exams.  If your cell phone rings in my class the consequences may be too horrific to envision.  Let’s not find out, hmmm?

I will take attendance.  Class participation is integral to the learning process in this course.  We will be doing in-class projects and demonstrations—your participation is critical to your success in this class.  Punctual arrival to class is expected.  Students who arrive to class late are expected to sneak in quietly and unobtrusively.  Chronic attendance problems will be noted and we will discuss them privately.  If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out in a timely manner what you missed.  You are responsible for learning the material you missed.

An accurate and complete set of lecture notes is important for performing well in this class.  Suggestions for taking good notes include: pre-reading, pre-class preparation, listening for clue words, taping lectures, comparing notes with other students, rewriting and reorganizing notes, and asking the Instructor for clarification.

The Instructor considers lecture material (like any other course material) to be intellectual property.  Students are not to sell lecture notes (and other class materials) to other students or to note-taking services, online or otherwise; such action may constitute copyright infringement and/or academic dishonesty.  See the section on Academic Dishonesty for more details.

Exams

Exam material may be drawn from any of the following sources: required reading material, lecture, handouts, and/or laboratory materials.  Exams may include any or all of the following formats: multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, oral exam, essays and/or visual or tactile identification of skeletal elements or laboratory materials.

If you are a qualified student and need accommodation, please submit your documentation as soon as possible so that appropriate alternate services may be arranged.

Students are expected to arrive on time for tests.  In the case that a student is excessively late (10 minutes or more past the start of class) in arriving to take a test, the Instructor reserves the right to deny that student the opportunity to take the test with no possibility of a make-up exam.  Students are expected to submit Exam and Quiz materials written legibility, preferably in BLUE ink.

There will be no makeup exams provided.  This is not negotiable.  Please see the section entitled Grading Policy for more information.

Class Project

You will be required to complete one class Lab Project.  The details of this Project will be presented at a later date, but will ultimately result in the production of a minimum 5-page written report with documentation such as appendices and illustrations.  I will provide substantial support for this Project.

Your Lab Project must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1-inch margins, and all citations must be given in standard Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  MLA is the standard citation style adopted by College of the Redwoods.  Information on MLA format is readily available in the Library.  Any Project that deviates from this format may not receive full credit.  If you need assistance, contact me as soon as possible.  Be aware that I have a very strict plagiarism policy.  See the section on Academic Dishonesty for more information.

I expect that your Project will be turned in at the beginning of class on the days they are due and to the Instructor to whom they are due.  “Dropping off your Project” to my car, my office, or to any secretary or to another Professor or Instructor is strictly prohibited.  Late Projects, handwritten or sloppy Projects, or Projects submitted electronically are not acceptable.

There will be no late Projects accepted.  This is not negotiable.  Please see the section Grading Policy for more information.

Grading Policy

There will be no makeup Exams or Quizzes and I will not accept late Projects.  Unless you have a valid written excuse (legal or medical), you will receive a ZERO on the missed assignment.  With a valid excuse, your grade will be averaged from the remaining graded assignments.

The final course grade is calculated by dividing the points earned (including any extra credit points) by the total points possible (excluding extra credit).  This percentage is then translated into a letter grade based on a 10% scale (A=90-100%, B=80-89%, etc.).  Final course grades will not be curved.  In some cases, students with borderline percentages (e.g., 59%, 69%, 79%, and 89%) are given the higher grade based on the following criteria: participation in the extra credit portion of the final, class attendance, class participation, or demonstrable improvement.

Letter grades for the class will be assigned based on the following breakdown:

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to abide by the rules of academic conduct.  I have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for falsification of data, cheating, and plagiarism.  If you are caught falsifying data, cheating, or plagiarizing or otherwise engaging in academic dishonesty you WILL flunk my class and I will submit the details to the appropriate authorities.  For complete details, refer to College of the Redwood’s Course Catalog.

A claim of ignorance as to what constitutes falsification of data, plagiarism, or cheating is not an excuse.  As scholars, you are required to cultivate an understanding of what constitutes intellectual theft and learn how to avoid it.

The consequences of academic dishonesty to an academic reputation can be dire.  A student faces expulsion, loss of standing, loss of scholarships and other honors.  If you have questions about plagiarism consult with me.  I have great strategies that will allow us to avoid all this unpleasantness.

I will actively advise you on homework, labs, assignments and tests.  Do your own work and take pride in it.  Do not be afraid to ask for appropriate assistance from those who can give it.  Feel free to use a proofreader.  Keep photocopies, photographs, and/or printouts of your research.  You are expected to submit these with your assignments.

I reserve the right to change any provision in this syllabus at any time.  Any necessary changes will be announced in class.

Note

I intend to promote an environment in this class in which all people are treated with dignity and respect.  During the course of the semester, we may consider subjects with political and/ or ethical implications.  Your tests, quizzes, presentations, and papers will not be evaluated based upon the opinion that you express about these issues.  Instead, your grade will relate to your ability to analytically approach these issues and bring related anthropological materials to support your arguments.