This seminar course will provide honours students with a foundation in theory related to the different areas of biological anthropology including bioarchaeology, human biology, human evolution and primatology. By writing papers, conducting seminar presentations and leading discussions on select topics you will develop in depth knowledge of theories and the ability to critically analyse them in light of current research. The overall goal of the course is to help you evaluate your own research in light of central theoretical issues in Biological Anthropology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon Successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain principal theories in one or more area of biological anthropology including bioarchaeology, human biology, human evolution and primatology
   
2. Critically evaluate and analyse these theories in light of current research in Biological Anthropology
   
3. Engage in meaningful discussions about the strengths and controversies of Biological Anthropology theories
   
4. Effectively articulate ideas in written and oral formats

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class/ groups/ individuals
• all grades will be posted in the Wattle Gradebook 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

To maximise your academic potential, you are given some flexibility in the structure and content of assessment in this course. You will select the dates in which you give your seminar presentation and you have the academic freedom to write about whichever topic you wish to explore in your final paper. Those who would rather be given a pre-indicated essay question will also be given the option to do so. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction and presentation topics
2	presentation preparation
3	presentation preparation
4	Presentations student A1 and B1	Presentation
5	Analysis workshop
6	Presentations student C1 and D1	Presentation
7	break
8	break
9	Easter Monday, no seminar
10	Presentations student A2 and B2	Presentation
11	Presentations student C2 and D2	Presentation
12	Analysis presentations	Presentation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Presentations (x 2) & Discussion Participation	50 %	20/05/2019	28/05/2019	1,2,3,4
Seminar Paper	50 %	23/05/2019	14/06/2019	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Seminar Presentations (x 2) & Discussion Participation

This task is designed to let you practise communicating your research, and show how well you understand the core theoretical concepts in your field of biological anthropology research. You will deliver two 30 minute-long presentations to staff in attendance and the rest of students enrolled in the course. This will be followed by 10 minutes of discussion, giving a total of 45 minutes of you presenting, leading a discussion, participating in discussion, handling questions from the audience.

Feel free to use whatever assistance you need when presenting, but it is strongly suggested that you avoid reading word-for-word from a prepared text. We will have access to a computer projector and so usually students prepare PowerPoint slides to aid their presentation. You do not need to submit any written evidence for your seminar presentation – you will be assessed on the spoken content, how you handle questions from the audience, your leadership/ participation in the discussion, and the quality of your presentation (e.g. visual materials, audience engagement, slide organisation, etc.).

Remember, seminars need to lead to an insightful discussion, so think carefully about how to structure your presentation – are there some key points that you should emphasise vs. providing a superficial overview that is barely scratching the surface of theory?

Value: 40% (20% each) + 10% for discussion participation

Estimated time: 30 minutes + 10 minutes discussion 

Assessment Task 2

Seminar Paper

This is the largest component of your assessment, and it is a written piece demonstrating how the theory from your presentations informs your research topic in biological anthropology. You are expected to write 6000-8000 words, and feel free to view this as an extended literature review for your thesis. It is crucial that your paper shows in-depth knowledge of the theoretical issues from your presentations. Remember, we provide a list of starting/indicative readings here and so your paper will need to demonstrate the consultation of an extensive list of references. I would expect to see a minimum of twenty peer-reviewed sources that form the basis of your theory research.

Word count: 6000 - 8000 words

Value: 50%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All written work submitted via TurnItIn will be marked electronically and thus available for viewing on Wattle. Hard copies of lab worksheets will be returned to students.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

All referencing needs to follow the format of the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students