AEB_A16f Basics of Archaeogenetics

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Zuzana Hofmanová, Dr. rer. nat. (lecturer)
Mgr. Denisa Zlámalová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Zuzana Hofmanová, Dr. rer. nat.
Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Šibíčková
Supplier department: Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each odd Friday 9:00–13:40 M21
Prerequisites
AEB_A01 Introduction to Archaeology
No previous knowledge of genetics is required.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 17/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 25 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim is to introduce students to a rapidly developing and increasingly important field of archaeogenetics, i.e. analysis of ancient DNA and inferences driven from it.
Learning outcomes
The student will be able to:
- get an overview of current archaeogenetic literature and future directions in the field of ancient DNA,
- understand assumptions and limitations of analysis of ancient DNA and its interpretations,
- comprehend basic population genetic concepts and methods,
- reason using archaeogenetic arguments.
- discuss multidisciplinary perspectives necessary for combining sciences (genetics in particular) and humanities.
Syllabus
  • Three main parts of the course:
  • 1) Introduction and state of the art
  • 2) Methods
  • 3) Ethical and interpretative issues
  • Topics:
  • Study design (sampling, questions, methods)
  • Quality control (contamination, damage, amount of data: endogenous %, coverage)
  • Analysis (assumptions, limitations, purpose)
  • Interpretation (results, argumentation, interpretation)
  • Public and cross-disciplinary communication (ethical aspects)
Teaching methods
It will be a block course, three times per semester (hopefully in person). Combination of lectures, group activities and discussions. Literature is to be read by students before the course.
Assessment methods
A major part of the assessment will result from a submitted essay (some topics will be provided, students can also choose their own upon approval of the lecturer). Minor parts of the mark will come from active participation in the course and tests that will confirm that provided literature has been studied prior to the respective course block.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: výuka probíhá blokově.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2023/AEB_A16f