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ANT 426
Forensic Osteology Method and Theory

Syllabus

Contact Information

Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00-9:15 AM, SB 202 and 102 as announced.

Dr. Albert: By appointment or albertm@uncw.edu

Required Texts:

Introduction to Forensic Anthropology, third edition, S.N. Byers, 2007, Allyn and Bacon Publishers, ISBN 0-205-43538-6
Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic Anthroplogy, D.W. Steadman (Ed.), 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-030567-7

Assessment

Chapter Exercises (30%): Come to class with your typewritten answers printed out (no email attachments) and we will learn about the topics via a lively discussion of your answers and mine.
Quizzes (30%): At the end of each class, 15 minutes. I will ask three questions and you will provide short written answers on your own notebook paper. Questions will be among those answered during our lively discussions.
Semester Project (40%): In teams or small groups, you will work on a mock forensic case using the methods and skills acquired during the semester. Information on items due at variable times and their point value will be provided in class.

Grading Scale:

Policies

Please come to class prepared; please be courteous and abide by the Academic Honor Code (as explained in the student handbook); and please let me know if you end up somewhere else (i.e., connect with me if you don't see me). Thank you.
Note: If you need alternative learning accommodations, please contact me in person.

Class Description and Prerequisites:

This is an advanced human osteology seminar course focusing on the application of skeletal and dental analyses to cases of legal importance for purposes of establishing human identification, time since death, and manner of death.
Class sessions comprise hand-on skeletal analyses, a semester project (a mock forensic case and expert testimony), and one end of semester exam.
ANT 326 and ANT 326L (co-requisite courses). Successful completion (i.e., a grade of C or better) of Human Osteology and the co-requisite laboratory is a must. ANT 426 Forensic Osteology Method and Theory assumes prior knowledge of human bones, features, landmarks, anatomical terminology and basic skeletal analyses.