AN 4313/6313: Human Osteology, Fall 2021 Time: Class: Monday & Wednesday, 2:20 pm – 3:35 pm, Etheredge 224 Laboratory hours/ study hours: c. 2 ½ hours per week, see weekly schedule, posted on Canvas. Instructor: Dr. Molly Zuckerman Office: 209 Cobb Institute Office Hours: 10:00 – 11:00 am, Monday and Wednesday via WebEx & in person by appointment Office phone: 662.325.2013 E-mail: mkz12@msstate.edu TA: Larra Diboyan E-mail: ld1045@msstate.edu Office hours: Study/ Lab Hours in Etheredge 224: 10:00 – 11:00 am, Monday and Wednesday; 3:00 – 4:00 pm Thursday Catalog Description: Identification of each human bone both complete and fragmentary. Study of skeletal and dental development, sex differences, age changes, hard tissue histology, and paleopathology. Course Description: This is a three-credit, intensive lab and lecture course that provides an overview of the methods used in biological anthropology for studying human remains as well as the techniques used to develop biological profiles used in forensic case work. In this course, students will intensively study the skeleton, from the coronal suture to the distal end of the distal foot phalanges. The course is first and foremost focused on the anatomy and physiology of the human skeleton, with additional emphasis on evolution, function, growth, and development. Students will learn to identify all the bones in the skeleton, major landmarks of each skeletal element, and basic skeletal biology. Additional studies in the estimation of age at death, estimation of sex, pathological recording, and trauma will also occur. Students who are interested in human anatomy and physiology, biological anthropology, and in pursuing a career in any of the health sciences (e.g., nursing, dentistry, clinical medicine) are encouraged to take this class. Lectures provide relevant background, but students are expected to devote a significant amount of time to work in groups with study skeletons in lab/ study hours. Learning Outcomes: AN 4313: By the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify and side human skeletal elements in complete and fragmentary form. Identify features and landmarks on human skeletal elements (bones), in complete and fragmentary form. Estimate age, sex, and stature of skeletal individuals using a range of anthropological methods. Identify and side juvenile and permanent human dentition (teeth). Comprehend the relationships between the form (morphology) and function of the skeleton relative to soft tissue (e.g., muscle) in living individuals. Grasp the range of ethical issues related to the treatment of archaeological and anatomical human remains. Understand bone biology and metabolism, and the growth and development of the human skeleton, including the dentition. Identify a range of basic abnormal, disease conditions (vs. “normal) on the human skeleton as well as the effects of taphonomic processes (and be able to distinguish the two). Generate teaching materials on basic to advanced topics in human osteology and related fields that are appropriate for college to middle/ high school level students and the general public. Learning Outcomes: AN 6313. In addition to the above, by the end of this course, students will be able to: Apply the basics of bioarchaeological analysis, specifically estimating the age at death and sex of individuals (fragmentary to whole bone), and establishment of a demographic profile for an assemblage, as well as individuation, including of commingled remains (e.g., establishing the minimum number of individuals (MNI) for an assemblage) Course format: Classes are based around short lectures and the course involves weekly laboratory/ study hours. Students are expected to participate by asking questions and handling lab materials (skeletal material). Regular attendance is required to succeed in this class and it is absolutely essential that students spend time outside of the lecture period studying skeletal anatomy by familiarizing themselves with the actual specimens. Prerequisites: None Course Website: A variety of relevant materials will be available on the Course Canvas page, including additional resources, course updates, and information about lab hours, class, and assignments. Canvas also contains information that will be useful to you, such as study guides, extra study hours, and links to related sites, as well as your grades. It is your responsibility to check for updates online regularly and attend class regularly. Textbook / Materials: There is one required textbook for this class: White, Tim and Pieter Folkens. 2005. The Human Bone Manual, 1st Ed. Elsevier. Paperback ISBN: 9780120884674. https://www.elsevier.com/books/the-human-bone-manual/white/978-0-12-088467-4 There is a copy on course reserves (circulation desk) at Mitchell Memorial library. You can go and read it for free. There is also a lab copy available for use during lab/ study hours. Assigned readings for the day must be read BEFORE class. Any assigned readings that are not part of the textbook (designated by *** on the Course Schedule) are on Canvas (under Modules). Class Assignments: AN 4313: Assignments include exams, in-class participation, attendance, and generation of teaching aids. Exams: The exams follow a lab practical/ bell ringer format. Lab practicals are set up with physical stations, where students rotate between the stations, each of which has a question or set of questions, typically about a material or set of materials located at the station. This type of exam is timed, as students must rotate simultaneously between stations to answer questions. Students have a limited time at each station (2 minutes) and you cannot touch or manipulate specimens). This type of exam is required to assess competency in the anatomy-based curriculum of the course. If you have DSP accommodation that you think will affect your taking the exams in this course you must speak to me in the first week of classes to see if you are able to take this class and complete the assessments in this lab course. Exams cover skeletal material as well as information covered in lectures and the reading. These consist primarily of fill in the blank questions (no key provided). The exams build upon previously covered material, but the final exam is not cumulative. Each exam covers 1/5 of the course content. Class participation: Students are expected to actively participate in all class periods via asking questions and participating in in-class discussions. Attendance: Attendance will be recorded throughout the semester in the scheduled lecture section of the course. Attendance is mandatory, and percentage points from your total grade will be deducted with each unexcused absence. Teaching aids: Original teaching aids developed by students, through group work (up to two group members), will be due throughout the course of the semester. These should be designed for K-12 students and/or informed members of the general public. These can be of several media types (print, video, etc.) and can be on any of a set number of topics, all related to human osteology. A list of these topics will be posted on Canvas. Additional information on this assignment will be posted on Canvas. There are no set deadlines for these during the semester; students will be able to select deadlines for each of the material submissions within the first two weeks of class; deadlines will then be visible to students on the Course calendar. Physical teaching aids must be submitted in class at the beginning of the class period when the material is due. Students must also submit a copy of their materials through Canvas by or before class time on their selected days. To deter academic misconduct: all submissions will be evaluated through Turnitin (compared to: Student repository; website content; periodicals, journals and publications). Class Assignments: AN 6313: Assignments include exams, in-class participation, attendance, generation of teaching aids, and a final project. In addition to the above: Final project: This will involve cleaning an excavated assemblage, identifying elements, and estimating the age at death and sex of several individuals (fragmentary to whole bone). This will culminate in establishment of a demographic profile for an assemblage. It will also involve individuation of the assemblage, including of commingled remains, (e.g., establishing the minimum number of individuals (MNI) for an assemblage). Additional information on this assignment will be posted on Canvas and handed out in class. Method of Evaluation and Standards of Achievement: AN 4313: Exams: There are 5 exams throughout the course of the semester. Total: 60% Exams 1-5: 12% each The grade distribution will be scaled (curved) to the highest ranked student’s score; that is, your performance in this course will be measured relative to the best student in the class. Any of the material covered in the text and in lecture may be on the exams. However, in regard to skeletal landmarks, you will only be tested on those included in the exam study guides. The final course grade will not be curved. Class participation: participation is recorded throughout the lecture sections. Students should participate actively in class by asking questions, responding to questions, and discussing issues raised in the lectures. Total: 5% Attendance: Attendance will be recorded throughout the semester in the lecture sections. Regular attendance is required to succeed in this class. Each unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 1% from this total, for a maximum of 5% deducted from the overall final course grade. Total: 5% Teaching aids: Two teaching aids are due throughout the course of the semester. Total: 30% Teaching aid: 15% each AN 6313: Exams: There are 5 exams throughout the course of the semester. Additional questions are included on each exam relative to the exams for AN 4313, as is evident on the study guide for each exam. Total: 50% Exams 1-5: 10% each Exams will not be curved. Class participation: participation is recorded throughout the lecture sections. Total: 5% Attendance: Attendance will be recorded throughout the semester in the lecture sections. Each unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 1% from this total, for a maximum of 5% deducted from the overall final course grade. Total: 5% Teaching aids: Three teaching aids are due throughout the course of the semester. Total: 20% Teaching aid: 6.6% each Final project: Inventory forms, estimation forms, data visualizations, and a text interpretation and description are due at the end of the semester. Total: 20% The teaching philosophy guiding this course assumes that every student is capable of learning the material in the course provided clear goals, clear guides to achieve them, and consistent assistance in understanding the material. As a consequence, this course is not graded on a curve. Notice that evaluations and assignments are evenly weighted and evenly distributed throughout the semester. To achieve a good grade in this course, you will need to maintain a constant level of effort in reading, lab participation and discussion, and in AN 6313, library research. Attendance at lecture sections and bell-ringer exams is consequently required, and participation in lab/ study hours is heavily encourages. This course does have a heavy component of human and skeletal biology, so be aware that memorization and hands on familiarization of human anatomy is essential and extensive with lab practicals. No extra credit is available. Additional study materials: 15 self-guided lab exercises/ handouts are also available on the Canvas page (Modules). These are for your benefit and will not be graded. They will, however, be useful study aids for you. Grades for course assignments will be available after one week has elapsed (not sooner). Should you wish to dispute any of your grades, please come to see the instructor; written rationales are required for requests for a higher grade. Grading breakdown (following University policy): 90-100%: A; 80-89%: B; 70-79%: C; 69-60%: D; <59%: F. *Please see the instructor with any questions or issues as they arise. Missed Class & Late Assignments: If you miss a class, you alone are responsible for coordinating with other students to get a copy of the notes. No copies of the lecture notes are available. For Exams: to be able to schedule a make-up exam (proctored by the instructor), you: Must contact the instructor before the exam or within 12 hours of the missed exam (e-mail, in person, or by phone). Must be able to provide an approved excuse. No make up exams are available without an approved excuse. For the teaching aids: to be able to submit a teaching aids after the deadline for up to full credit, you: Must contact the instructor before the deadline for the assignment or within 12 hours of the missed deadline (e-mail, in person, or by phone). Must be able to provide an approved excuse. One extension, of up to three calendar days (72 hours), is available to each student for one of the Teaching aids (one extension per group). No approved excuse is needed. To get the extension, you must contact the instructor at least 12 hours before the deadline (the beginning of class on the day on which your assignment is due) (e-mail, in person, or by phone). For the final project: to be able to submit the final project after the deadline, you: Must contact the instructor before the deadline for the assignment or within 12 hours of the missed deadline (e-mail, in person, or by phone). Must be able to provide an approved excuse. WITHOUT an approved excuse, the teaching materials and/or final project may be submitted within 2 days (48 hours) of the missed deadline for up to 50% of credit. AFTER 48 hours, no credit can be earned. Approved excuses can be found in MSU’s AOP (12.09) on excused absences and class attendance. Please contact the instructor if you have any questions: http://www.policies.msstate.edu/policypdfs/1209.pdf Tech note: If you are concerned about access to your documents at any time, please use a free document sharing service such as Google documents or Dropbox. If have an issue with submitting your materials because Canvas is “down”, etc., take a screenshot (to show to me, see above) and contact the ITS service desk (NOT your instructor) https://servicedesk.msstate.edu/TDClient/home/ and avoid waiting until 11:58 pm to submit materials… COVID Teaching Considerations and Guidelines Fall Semester 2021 We will follow all policies and guidelines included here: COVID Teaching Considerations and Guidelines Fall Semester 2021: https://www.instructionalguide.msstate.edu/news/2021/08/covid-teaching-considerations-and-guidelines-fall-semester-2021 Attendance policy for face-to-face instruction This section is a face-to-face instructional class. Please refer to Academic Operating Policy 12.09, regarding attendance expectations and accommodations. Approved excuses can be found in MSU’s AOP (12.09) on excused absences and class attendance. Please see the instructor if you have any questions: http://www.policies.msstate.edu/policypdfs/1209.pdf   Continuity of Instruction In the event that face-to-face classes are suspended due to extenuating circumstances, such as weather, the instructor will continue instruction in a manner that best supports the course content and student engagement. In this event, all instructors will notify students of the change via their university email address (the official vehicle for communication with students). At that time, they will provide details about how instruction and communication will continue, how academic integrity will be ensured, and what students may expect during the time that face-to-face classes are suspended. If a student becomes unable to continue class participation due to extenuating circumstances, (e.g., health and safety, loss of power, etc.) the student should contact their instructor and advisor for guidance. For additional guidance, please refer to Academic Operating Policy 12.09. Mississippi State Academic Integrity Policy: Upon accepting admission to Mississippi State University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor Code: "As a Mississippi State University student I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.” Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the MSU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor Code. For additional information please visit: http://honorcode.msstate.edu/policy. Title IX Policy: MSU is committed to complying with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination, including violence and harassment, based on sex. This means that MSU’s educational programs and activities must be free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know has experienced sex discrimination, sexual violence and/or harassment by any member of the university community, you are encouraged to report the conduct to MSU’s Director of Title IX/EEO Programs at 662-325-8124 or by e-mail to titleix@msstate.edu. Additional resources are available at www.oci.msstate.edu/focus-areas/title-ix-sexual-misconduct. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy: Students who have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Disability Resource Center. Mississippi State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center (01 Montgomery Hall) collaborates with students who have disabilities to arrange reasonable accommodations. If you have, or think you may have, a disability, please contact drc@saffairs.msstate.edu or 662-325-3335 to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to, conditions related to mental health, chronic health, attention, learning, autism, brain injury, vision, hearing, mobility, speech, or intellectual disabilities. In the case of short-term disabilities (e.g., broken arm), students and instructors can often work to minimize barriers. If additional assistance is needed, please contact the Disability Resource Center. University Safety Statement:  Mississippi State University values the safety of all campus community members. Students are encouraged to register for Maroon Alert texts and to download the Everbridge App. Visit the Personal Information section in Banner on your mystate portal to register. To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort via Safe Walk, call University Police at 662-325-2121, or in case of emergency, call 911. For more information regarding safety and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit ready.msstate.edu. Notice of Copyright: Unless otherwise indicated, Materials in this course, including audio and visual lectures, are protected by copyright law. Materials are presented in an educational context for student’s personal use and study and should not be shared, distributed, or sold in print—or digitally—outside the course without permission. As a student, your ability to post, link to, share or otherwise distribute course Materials is also governed by copyright law.  Students may post or link to course Materials within the course environment when pertinent to course work. The university reserves the right to take corrective or disciplinary action consistent with the Student Code of Conduct if Materials are used, posted, linked to or otherwise distributed outside the course environment or in an inappropriate manner. General Course Information: Classroom Conduct: Please show respect for the instructor and your fellow classmates by silencing your cell phones and not texting, etc. while in class. Should you absolutely need to monitor your phone or answer a phone call during class (for example, due to a family emergency), please inform the instructor prior to class. While in class, please also avoid checking email, reading non-course related material such as newspapers, arriving late or exiting early (unless you have already notified the instructor of a legitimate need to do so), and sleeping. While in class, please also conduct yourself in a professional manner during discussions or debates, and refrain from hurtful, inflammatory or disrespectful speech and from disruptive or confrontational behavior. No hate speech will be tolerated. We aim for an enthusiastic, engaged, and accepting dialogue in this class. Unless particular needs require that you take notes on a laptop (request will have to be processed through Student Support Services), laptops and tablet computers are prohibited in class. Frequently engaging in any of the above activities, especially if you are caught and the matter is discussed with the instructor, will result in points being deducted from your final course grade at the instructor’s discretion. Notes on the course: Throughout the semester, you will be handling both real bones and casts of human skeletal material. For both types of material, but especially the real remains, you must use the utmost care with them. Do not write on the remains. Do not touch the remains with pens, markers, etc. Do not remove the remains from lab. Do not eat while in the lab (beverages in closed containers are fine). Use boxes and trays to move materials in the lab. Use carts to move materials throughout the room. Place crania on donuts or in trays. Place all material on yoga mats/ foam when it the remains are out on the lab tables. Gently place materials back within their boxes for storage (do not bang them against each other). Do not place maxillae on top of mandibles (teeth will chip). If you detect ANY damage to the remains, report it to the instructor immediately. Any intentional, unethical deviation from this behavior will result in your removal from the class on that day and additional repercussions. COURSE SCHEDULE WEEK DATE TOPIC READINGS ASSIGNMENTS & LAB/STUDY HOURS 1 08/18 Introduction to the course & skeletal and anatomical terms Ch. 1. Introduction No lab/study hours Ch. 6. Anatomical terminology 2 08/23 Ethical issues relating to human skeletal material *de la Cova. 2019. Making silenced voices speak: Restoring neglected and ignored identities in anatomical collections. In Cheverko et al. Theoretical approaches in bioarchaeology. London: Routledge. p. 150-169. On Canvas. No lab/ study hours Teaching aid assignment deadlines set * Lambert. 2018. Ethics in bioarchaeology and forensics. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0163 Ch. 3. Ethics in Osteology 08/25 Bone growth, structure, and metabolism Ch. 4. Bone biology & variation: 4.1-4.2, 4.4-4.6 *Agarwal. 2018. Skeletal biology in anthropology. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0454 3 08/30 Pelvis, sacrum & coccyx Ch. 14. Pelvic girdle: Sacrum, coccyx & os coxae. Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar AN 6313: you will be assigned your bin of human skeletal material for the final project 09/01 Functional anatomy & biomechanics Ch. 4. Bone biology & variation: 4.3, 4.7, 4.8 *Knüsel and Sparacello. 2018. Functional morphology, postcranial, human. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0187 *Ryan. 2018. Biomechanics/ mechanobiology. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0057 4 09/06 Labor day – no class NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 09/08 Vertebrae & hyoid Ch. 9. Hyoid & vertebrae 5 09/13 Exam 1 NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 09/15 Thorax: Ribs & sternum Ch. 10. Thorax: Sternum & ribs 6 09/20 Bioarchaeology & Forensics Ch. 2. Field procedures for skeletal remains Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar *Larsen. 2018. Bioarchaeology. The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0364 *Buzon. 2018. Health and well-being, history of. The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0239 *Dirkmaat, Garvin, and Cabo. 2018. Forensic Anthropology. The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0183 09/22 Cranium Ch. 7. Skull. 7.1 – 7.8 7 09/27 Cranium Ch. 7. Skull. 7.9 – 7.14 Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 09/29 Cranium Ch. 7. Skull. 7.15 – 7.20 8 10/04 Exam 2 NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar *semester midpoint 10/06 Age and sex estimation: cranium & pelvis Ch. 19. The skeletal biology of individuals & populations: 19.1-19.4; 19.6-19.8 9 10/11 Dentition Ch. 8. Dentition Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar *no study hours on the 14th-15th (Fall break) 10/13 Dentition *Teaford. 2018. Functional morphology, teeth. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0186 10 10/18 Dental aging & dental pathology Ch. 17. Osteological & dental pathology: 17.7 Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar *Lukacs. 2018. Dental caries and other dental diseases. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0125 10/20 Catch up day NA 11 10/25 Exam 3 NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 10/27 Paleopathology Ch. 17. Osteological & dental pathology: 17.1-17.6; 17.8 *Buikstra. 2018. Paleopathology. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0364 12 11/01 Leg: Femur Ch. 15. Leg: Femur, patella, tibia & fibula: 15.1 Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 11/03 Leg: Tibia, fibula & patella & Ch. 15. Leg: Femur, patella, tibia & fibula: 15.2-15.4 13 11/08 Foot Ch. 16. Foot: Tarsals, metatarsals & phalanges Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 11/10 Metrics & Taphonomy and archeological & forensic applications Ch. 5. Postmortem skeletal modification *Dirkmaat and Cabo. 2018. Taphonomy. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0481 Ch. 18. Laboratory procedures & reporting. 14 11/15 Exam 4 *guest proctor NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 11/17 Scapula & clavicle *guest lecturer Ch. 11. Shoulder girdle: Clavicle & scapula 15 11/22 Arm: Humerus, ulna & radius Ch. 12. Arm: Humerus, radius & ulna Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 11/24 Thanksgiving break: no class NA 16 11/29 Hand Ch. 13. Hand: Carpals, metacarpals & phalanges Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar 12/01 Estimating sex, stature, age from the postcrania & estimation of identity Ch. 19. The skeletal biology of individuals & populations: 19.3-19.5; 19.7-19.11 *Reitsema. 2018. Dietary reconstruction from bones and teeth. International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. doi.org/10.1002/9781118584538.ieba0136 Additional reading TBA 17 12/02 Reading day: Lab/ study day NA Lab/ study hours posted on Canvas Course Calendar Additional lab hours between 12/03-12/05 at the instructor’s discretion. 12/07 Final exam: Exam 5: 3:00-6:00 pm NA Final exam: lab practical: Etheredge 224 12/09 Final project due Submit online as a PDF