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2024　Archaeology & Biological Anthropology C

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Loftus James Frances 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
-
Group
-
Course number
LAH.T319
Credits
2
Academic year
2024
Offered quarter
3Q
Syllabus updated
2024/4/2
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course is designed to immerse students in the practical aspects of anthropological fieldwork. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, hands-on experiences, and critical reflections, students will gain insights into the methodologies, ethical considerations, and challenges inherent in conducting anthropological research in diverse cultural and environmental contexts. By the end of the course, students will be able to create a mock fieldwork plan, which can be used in their future research endeavors.

Student learning outcomes

1.To engage students in debate regarding anthropological ethics in modern fieldwork
2.To participate in mock fieldwork scenarios which mirror potential real-world problems
3.To learn problem-solving techniques when in the field

Keywords

Fieldwork Methods, Archaeology, Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Research Ethics

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

1) Students are required to submit a comment paper with short questions or interests regarding the contents of the lecture. Discussion related to those questions will be conducted in the following class.
2) Due to the nature of the class contents, photos or discussions which some students may find upsetting will be utilized (human skeletons, human evolution, death, photos of diseases, etc.).

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 What is Archaeology & Biological Anthropology? Understand the following: • Definition and scope of the disciplines • Archaeological & Biological　Anthropological methods • Necessity of the fields • What kind of fieldwork is there?
Class 2 Major Fieldwork Case Studies Understand the following: • Review of important archaeological and biological anthropological fieldwork projects • Lessons learned and their impact on the fields
Class 3 Collaborative and Community-based Fieldwork Understand the following: • Engaging with local communities and stakeholders • Participatory research methods
Class 4 Designing Fieldwork Projects (1) Understand the following: • Pre-departure plan • Choosing desired place, booking flights, hotels. • Necessary paperwork and vaccinations
Class 5 Excavation-based Fieldwork Understand the following: • Techniques and tools used in archaeological excavations
Class 6 Ethnographic-based Fieldwork Understand the following: • Participant observation, interviews, and other ethnographic methods • Cultural sensitivity and privacy
Class 7 Recording, Storing and Organizing Data Understand the following: • Field notes, databases, and digital tools • Data management and security
Class 8 Ethical Dilemmas in Fieldwork Discuss the following: • Consent, confidentiality, and respect for local communities • How to navigate conflicting interests? • Midterm exam explanation
Class 9 Midterm Exam Conduct the following: • Midterm Exam • Video-based lecture
Class 10 Designing Fieldwork Projects (2) Understand the following: • Post-fieldwork plan • Documenting results of fieldwork • Following-up with local people • Reflecting on problems and how to solve them
Class 11 Communicating Fieldwork Findings Understand the following: • Public engagement after fieldwork ends • Final project explanation
Class 12 Impacts of Fieldwork Understand the following: • What impacts does conducting fieldwork have on local cultures and environments? • What responsibilities do we have as researchers?
Class 13 Course Summary Conduct the following: • Summary of all course contents
Class 14 Final Project Conduct the following: • Create a fieldwork plan

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course materials.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Reference materials for the next class to be distributed in print form during the class

Assessment criteria and methods

Class engagement (in-class comment paper): 25%, Midterm exam: 25%, Final Project: 50%

Related courses

  • LAH.S447 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences56:Archaeology & Biological Anthropology
  • LAH.T116 ： Archaeology & Biological Anthropology A
  • LAH.T215 ： Archaeology & Biological Anthropology B

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

No prerequisites

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

loftus[at]ila.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment

Other

There is a possibility that the class schedule may change

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