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Skeletal Anatomy

Module description

In this module you will be provided with in-depth training in skeletal anatomy. This module will enable you to distinguish human from non-human remains, identify and describe both intact and fragmented human remains. The module will involve taught lectures and supervised lab sessions in which you can use the teaching casts and skeletal collections to develop your osteological skills. You will also have access to the laboratory outside of the lectures and practical sessions, to provide you with the opportunity to train with the collections during your own time. The module will be taught as if you are completely unfamiliar with the human skeleton. Therefore, there are no pre-requisites in place for this module

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module provides a detailed study of human skeletal anatomy that emphasises a functional approach to the identification and description of fragmented human remains recovered from archaeological and forensic contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate a functional understanding of human skeletal anatomy
• 2. Use anatomical terms correctly
• 3. Comprehend the importance of fragmented assemblages to understanding the human past and in forensic contexts

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Recognise morphological shapes
• 5. Be aware of information contained in anatomical texts

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Demonstrate team-working skills
• 7. Demonstrate heightened awareness of our bodies and its form and function

Syllabus plan

• This module examines different groups of bones in the human body each week to build up an in-depth knowledge of the human skeleton.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Abrahams, P.H. (2013) McMinn and Abrahams’ clinical atlas of human anatomy. Mosby, Edinburgh.
• White, T.D. and Folkens, P.A. (2005). The Human Bone Manual. Academic Press, Amsterdam

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE - https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=12264 

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Anatomical drawing hand-outs

Key words search

Archaeology, anatomy