California University of Pennsylvania Guidelines for New Course Proposals University Course Syllabus Approved: 2/4/13 Department of Justice, Law & Society A. Protocol Course Name: Forensic Archaeology Course Number: ANT 370 Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ANT 290 or permission of Instructor Maximum Class Size: 25 B. Objectives of the Course: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: 1. Correctly identify the goals of Archaeology, Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology and their interconnections 2. Correctly identify diagnostic human skeletal elements vs. non-human skeletal remains 3. Develop a recovery plan for the location, recovery and documentation of human remains 4. Professionally conduct/manage fieldwork leading to the location and recovery of human remains 5. Be able to identify what is physical evidence 6. Demonstrate the ability to professionally document the recovery of human remains and any associated physical evidence 7. Correctly describe the role of Forensic Archaeology in the investigation of Human Rights Violation Issues C. Catalog Description: Forensic Archaeology is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce archaeology, forensic anthropology, and criminal justice majors to the procedures associated with the location, identification, recovery and documentation of buried human remains. The course contains three main components: identifying human remains, strategies of locating human remains, and procedures for the recovery and documental of those remains. Students will obtain practical, hands-on training in each of the three areas. D. Outline of the Course: I. Introduction to the subject matter of the course: A. What Forensic Archaeology II. Archaeological theory: A. Paradigms B. Terminology C. Methods III. Forensic Archaeology A. Paradigms B. Terminology C. Methods IV. Taphonomy and site formation processes A. Depositional • Primary • Secondary • Defacto B. Erosional C. Alluvial D. Colluvium V. Skeletal Element Identification A. Non-human Remains B. Human Remains • Juvenile • Adult C. Field Survey and Discovery • Use of Maps • Pedestrian Survey Methods o Grid method o Transect method • Buried Human Remains o Witnesses o Probes o Cadaver dogs o Backhoe o Remote sensing  Aerial imagery  Geophysical methods VI. Field Methodology A. Pre-fieldwork logistics B. Personnel/Team Membership C. Field Survey Methods/Discovery VII. Field Recovery of Human Remains A. Method of Site Excavation • Site layout/grid • Tools • Screening • Stratigraphy/profiles • Site Taphonomy VIII. Documentation Methods A. Forms, Film and other B. Physical Evidence at site C. Chain of Custody of Evidence IX. Report E. Teaching Methodology (face to face or classroom) A variety of teaching methodologies may be used in teaching this course. They include, but are not limited to: lectures, PowerPoint images, assigned readings, case studies, multi-media presentations, group discussions, and guest speakers. Emphasis will be placed on engaging the learner for involvement and active participation in the learning process.   F. Text Possible textbooks for this course include: Hunter, John and Margaret Cox, 2005, Forensic Archaeology: advances in theory and practices, Routledge Press. Byers, Steven N., 2008, Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, Pearson Publishers, New York. Dupras, Tosha L., John J. Schulty, Sandra M. Wheeler and Lana J. Williams, 2006, Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: archaeological approaches, CRC Press, Florida. G. Assessment Activities (face to face or classroom). Individual instructors may customize different activities. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. H. Performance assessment tasks   Weekly assignments and reports   Exams and/or quizzes   Individual/Group projects   Case studies   Research Reports   Article/Book Critiques   Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with disabilities: • Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. • Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive accommodations. • Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically involve the faculty. • Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that involve the faculty. Office for Students with Disabilities Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner. Contact Information: Location: Azorsky Hall – Room 105 Phone: (724) 938-5781 Fax: (724) 938-4599 Email: osdmail@calu.edu Web Site: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/student-services/disability/index.htm I. Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc. Blau. Sprem amd Douglas H. Ubelaker, 2009, editors, Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. World archaeology Congress, Research Handbooks in Archeology. Left Coast Press. Connor, Melissa A., 2007, Forensic Methods: excavation for the archaeologist and investigatory, Altamira Press. Ferllini, Roxana, 2007, Forensic Archaeology and Human Rights Violations, Charles C. Thomas Publishers. Body detectives [videorecording] / a BBC production in association with Clearcut Communications for the Discovery Channel ; director, Sophie Rolfe ; producer, Robin Anderson, 2006. Unearthing evil: archaeology in the cause of justice [videorecording]/ produced by Paul Schneller; KCET, directed by Karren Ruff, 2003. The talking Skull [Videorecording]/produced by MEDSTAR and TLC, The Learning channel; produced and written by Diana Hunter Jones; coordinating producer, Vince Sherry; executive producer, Paul A. Dowling, 1999. Additional Information for Course Proposals J. Proposed Instructors: Anthropology faculty members in the Department of Justice, Law & Society with the appropriate background in Archaeology. K. Rationale for the Course: Such a course does not exist and the proposed course is vital to helping students in the anthropology and criminal justice programs develop practical skills needed within the field of forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology. L. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed: No specialized equipment or supplies are needed M. Answer the following questions using complete sentences: 1. Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain) The course does not require additional human resources. Faculty within the Department /program can teach the course. 2. Does the course require additional physical resources? The course does not require additional physical resources 3. Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain) No, this course will not change the major. 4. Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course) The course does not replace an existing course. 5. How often will the course be taught? The course will be taught every third semester. 6. Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and name) The course will not duplicate an existing course in another department or College. N. If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that discipline. Forensic Archaeology is traditionally taught within the Anthropology discipline. O. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories for General Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by the UCC. No, this course will not be considered as a menu course Education. P. Provide Approval Form (electronically). Additional Guidelines The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your course proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the department. 1. Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course Proposals) and that all questions have been completely answered. 2. Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New Course form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate signatures have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the preferred method) or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the Chair of the UCC is in possession of these forms. 3. Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you must include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement sheet(s) with your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the proposed course change be included with your proposal. 4. When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you must provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson. 5. All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. 6. Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes, credit changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New Course Form and submit electronically. 7. New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, LOCs, Certificates, or changes to advisement sheets will become effective the fall semester following committee approval. The advisement sheets must also include the committee approval date and the effective date on the advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and /or Program Changes form. 8. New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval. 9. Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the discipline. 10. Online courses should follow the Quality Matters™ rubric and is posted on the UCC website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement (refer E.2 above) that refers to the Quality Matters™ rubric. 11. All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on the UCC website.