Bioarchaeology

Archaeology - Second cycle, has only first-cycle courses as requirements

Admission to the course requires a Bachelor of Arts in archaeology or the equivalent of 180 higher education credits.

The course gives an interdisciplinary and in-depth knowledge of a number of analyses of biological remains and current natural sciences methods within the field of bioarchaeology. The course will also critically analyze and problematize these scientific methods and the use of bone materials in archeology. Central to the course is a laboratory project giving an orientation in bioarchaeology, how the results can be interpreted and evaluated for scientific analysis.

Modules

1. Current scientific methods, 5 hp

The module provides an overview of the scientific methods of the recent years applied in bioarcheology including different types of human osteological, archeozoological and isotopic analyzes, DNA, diet and mobility reconstruction.

2. Laboratory work with bone material, 10 hp

This module is a practical orientation in the osteological analysis of bone material and the critically evaluation of the results.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

-account for current bioarchaeological methods in archeology

-summarize these methods and their applications in archeology

Competence and skills

-perform determination exercises on bioarchaeological materials

-interpret and discuss the results of the bioarchaeological laboratories

-discuss archaeological approaches to different scientific methods on biological remains

Judgement and approach

-critically relate to scientific methods and applications on the source material and ethical discussions in bioarchaeology

-evaluate scientific methods and their application in different archaeological explanatory models

-critically analyze original scientific articles and results

Teaching takes place in the form of mandatory lectures, seminars and group works. Contemporaneous with the lectures are the students immersing themselves in one or several methods, that are represented and discussed during a seminar (module 1). The students will through a practical laboratory course learn osteological analysis and the evaluation and statistical analysis of the results (module 2).

The examination of the course objectives is in writing, orally form, and designed both as individual and group work. Admission to the module Laboratory work with bone material (10hp) requires the lowest grade G on the modul Current scientific methods (5hp).

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To obtain the grade VG on the entire course, the grade VG on the course Laboratory work with bone material (10hp) and at least the grade G on the sub-course Current scientific methods (5hp) are required.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.