Bi7351 Methods of anthropology I

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/3/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Čuta, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Mikoláš Jurda, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Ivana Majláthová (assistant)
Mgr. Tereza Štarmanová (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Mikoláš Jurda, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable of Seminar Groups
Bi7351/01: Wed 12:00–14:50 Bp1,01007, M. Čuta, M. Jurda, P. Urbanová
Bi7351/02: Wed 15:00–17:50 Bp1,01007, M. Čuta, M. Jurda, P. Urbanová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to acquaint the students with basic methods of biological anthropology.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student should be able to plan and organize anthropological research; should be able to know and use basic anthropological methods to investigate biological properties of man (skeletal remains and living human); should be able to use the traditional metric and morphoscopic methods; should know the up-sides and negatives of the advanced shape analysis methods and non-invasive methods of virtual anthropology; should be capable of fundamental application of these advanced methods; should be able to decide, which methods are the most relevant for investigation of any given topic.
Syllabus
  • 1) Short intro to class organization. Basics of organizing an anthropological examination; philosophy of measurements, measuring instruments, measuring units, reliability of anthropological methods
  • 2) Traditional morphometrics I - craniometrics
  • 3) Traditional morphometrics II - cephalometrics
  • 4) Traditional morphometrics III - osteometrics of postcranial skeleton
  • 5) Traditional morphometrics IV - somatometry of the human body
  • 6) Non-metric traits I - the human skull
  • 7) Self-study - revision of craniometric, cephalometric and somatometric landmarks and measurements
  • 8) Non-metric traits II - the living human - head
  • 9) Non-metric traits III - the postcranial skeleton
  • 10) Self-study - revision of craniometric, cephalometric and somatometric landmarks and measurements
  • 11) Non-metric traits IV - somatic characteristics in the living human
  • 12) Photographic documentation, 3D and X-ray documentation of the skeletal find Recording the living human; somatometry based on acquired record
  • 13) Non-contact examination of the human body and of the skeleton
Literature
  • Virtuální učebnice morfologie kostry člověka. Volně dostupné na: http://anthrop.sci.muni.cz/page.yhtml?id=592
  • BASS, William M. Human osteology : a laboratory and field manual. 5th ed. Columbia, Mo.: Missouri Archaeological Society, 2005, xviii, 365. ISBN 9780943414966. info
  • WHITE, T. D. and Pieter A. FOLKENS. The human bone manual. Boston: Elsevier Academic, 2005, xx, 464. ISBN 0120884674. URL info
  • DROZDOVÁ, Eva. Základy osteometrie (Basic osteometry). 1st ed. Brno: Nadace Universitas Masarykiana, 2005, 196 pp. Panoráma biol. a sociokulturní antropologie 18. ISBN 80-7204-291-2. info
  • Antropologie :příručka pro studium kostry. Edited by Milan Stloukal. 1. vyd. Praha: Národní muzeum, 1999, 510 s. ISBN 80-7036-101-8. info
  • KNUSSMANN, Rainer. Vergleichenden Biologie des Menschen : Lehrbuch der Anthropologie und Humangenetik. 2. bearb. Aufl. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag, 1996, xii, 524. ISBN 382740763X. info
  • FETTER, Vojtěch. Antropologie. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1967, 704 s. info
Teaching methods
The tuition is practical. Each segment starts with a short theoretical introduction. Hygienic rules (masks, disinfectant) are observed. Hygienic rules (currently respirators, disinfectant, declaration of AG/PCR test, absence of symptoms, vaccination) as well as lab/room rules are observed. If the epidemiological situation requires, practical classes can be transformed into an online form. Continued preparation is necessary and will be tested via 9 quizzes administered in the beginning of selected classes and will determine the level of knowledge acquired in the preceding practical class.
Assessment methods
During the semester 9 partial tests will be given at the beginning of 9 selected practical classes. Each test will focus on determining the level of knowledge acquired in the preceding class, in the respective field, both methodical and applied, to record human body variability. Each test will contain five multiple choice questions, with 1–4 correct answers. In case of favorable epidemiological situation and proxiamte learning , the tests will be in written form (offline) at the beginning of each exercise.


At the end of the semester a summarizing, a 55-question summary test will be administered, to determine the level of knowledge in the field of primary acquisition of anthropological data within complex and advanced methods which serve to analyze human body variability, acquired during the semester and other knowledges. This summary test will include multiple-choice questions with 1–4 correct answers for each question as well as also free-resonse, open ended questions. The summary test will be conducted online via ROPOT in IS.


In multiple choice questions, the selected correct answers are evaluated by their relative score (0.25–1, according to the number of correct answers in the given question). For each chosen wrong answer one-third of a point is subtracted. This means that one point for one multiple choice question is awarded only for selecting all the correct answers and only them. Open-ended questions are scored with one (1) point for a complete answer, half point (0.5) for an incomplete answer, and no point (0) for a missing or an incorrect answer.To obtain the credit, a gathering of a total of 66 points for the whole semester is necessary (the sum of points for all continuous tests and the summarizing test).


If epidemiological conditions allow in-person classes, one unexcused absence is permitted. However, to obtain credit students must turn in finalized protocols from each class. It is therefore necessary to make-up classes where the particular student was absent. Eventual partial tests from missed classes will be made up in distance or in-person form. Class and test make-ups are arranged upon agreement with the lecturer/teacher responsible-supervising the syllabus topic. Make-ups will generally take part after the semester ends.

Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2007 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Autumn 2010 - only for the accreditation, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2011 - acreditation, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, autumn 2021, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2022, recent)
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