*Course Announcement* Paleopathology
Starts September 2017 at UVic, more information on how to register here.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The patterning of disease in human populations is a function of both biological and cultural customs. This course will combine skeletal and historical considerations of disease and how bioarchaeological techniques can be used to identify common illnesses and injuries. Using information from history, medicine, and anthropology we will discuss changes in the patterns of human behaviour from archaeological human remains and interpret past human health through research of paleopathology (the study of ancient diseases and their origins). Course topics include: the ethical treatment of human remains, history of paleopathology, bone biology and disease classification.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Students will be able to recognize and describe pathological lesions on skeletal remains, as well as develop an understanding of the physical changes that occur in bone in response to different diseases and trauma. Students will learn how to think critically in completing assignments that will cover concepts of epidemiology and differential diagnosis. Students will develop essential skills in areas such as deductive reasoning, collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of both qualitative and quantitative morphological data. Students will develop their problem solving, research, communication, and writing skills through a series of assignments that will include both individual and group work. The skills and knowledge gained from this course provide a foundation for advanced study in archaeology, medical anthropology, and human osteology, among others.
