Spring 2005 Night Dr.

Elizabeth Salter
Section 501 Call # 12292 School of General Studies
Room GR 2.530 Office: Green 2.244
Email: emsalter@utdallas.edu Phone: 972-883-2484

ISGS 4308 - 501

BONES, BODIES AND DISEASE
T:7-9:45 p.m.

This course will meet a 3- hour science (non lab) General Education requirement for all
students, except for majors in the School on Natural Science and Mathematics.

Course Description:
This course is designed to acquaint the students with a wealth of knowledge that can be
accumulated through a thorough analysis of human skeletal and mummified remains. Some of the
analytical techniques of the osteologist and forensic anthropologist will be taught, along with an
examination of famous historic and forensic cases. This theoretical and practical information will
then be examined in terms of the role played by skeletons and mummies in reconstructing history
and prehistory.

Required Readings:
Dead Men Do Tell Tales by W. R. Maples
The Anatomy and Biology of the Human Skeleton by
D. Gentry Steele and Claud A. Bramblett
Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs

Method of Evaluation:
1 2 X 15 marks = 30 marks for two multiple choice tests designed to assess your knowledge
of the human skeleton
2 30 marks for a critical book review of the forensic material presented in Bare Bones. In addition to
the hard copy turned in for class, the paper must also be submitted to Turnitin.com by the due date.
3 30 marks for a final take home essay question which must be turned in by the last day of class
and must also be submitted to Turnitin.com
4 10 marks for attendance taken throughout the term.

Plagiarism/Cheating/ Academic Dishonesty, will not be tolerated. Please see UTD

Web Page under Scholastic Dishonesty for further information. It will result in a grade of 0 for
the assignment involved, and the notification of the Dean of Students for further appropriate
disciplinary action. (You will not be allowed to withdraw from the course if plagiarism is detected.)

Students who need special accommodations for note taking or test taking must contact the
Office of Disability Services in the Student Union, before any accommodation can be provided.
 Outline

Date Topic Readings Assignments

J11 Introduction B&S Chapters 1, 2
Histology
J18 Skull and Mandible B&S Chapter 3
Axial Skeleton B&S Chapter 5
J25 Appendicular Skeleton B&S Chapter 6,7,8,9,10,11
Dental Morphology B&S Chapter 4
F1 Test 1 Test 1
Sex/ Gender Determination
F8 Age Determination - sub adults
Age Determination - adults
F15 Trauma Read Maples' book
Skeletal Diseases
F22 Skeletal Diseases
Test 2 Test 2
M1 Taphonomy
Metric/ Morphological Variation
M8 Spring Break - no class
M15 Applied Craniofacial Anthropometry
Paleodemography Read Reichs' book
M22 Forensic Anthropology
"Cannibalism"
M29 "The Search for Butch and Sundance"
"Kathy Reichs" Reichs' assignment due
A5 "Anastasia"
The Bog People
A12 Egyptian mummies
Chinese mummies
A19 South American Mummies
"The Ice Man"
A26 Exams - No class but Final Examination due