Dr. Jordan’s honors anthropology students were given a unique experience as they journeyed up to Ferrum College to observe cultural and forensic anthropology. The students first went to study the cultural anthropology of German Baptist farms and how these people lived in the mountains of Virginia. Architecture, farm animals and the different uses for the land were discussed while the students examined the Ferrum farm.
After going to the farm, the anthropology class went with Dr. Katie Jordan Goff, anatomy and physiology professor at Ferrum and Dr. Jordan’s daughter, to examine cadavers to further understand physical anthropology. Jordan and Goff, have teamed up multiple times for research and teaching opportunities. Their collaborations include fieldwork and archaeological and forensic anthropology work for the hit show, “Bones.” While there, Goff allowed the Longwood group to work hands-on with the cadavers.
One of the students, sophomore Beth Barbolla, stated, “I really enjoyed spending all the time with my classmates and Dr. Jordan. Also the cadaver lab was really cool.”
Each year, Ferrum College receives five cadavers to use for research and studies. The people who donate their bodies to research have decided before death or their family members understand their desire to contribute to scientific endeavors. Male and female cadavers were brought out and the anthropology students were able to examine them. Goff explained how certain muscle or bone formations could contribute to a cause of death or give evidence to the cadaver’s previous lifestyle.
Another opportunity that students got to learn from was the hands-on experience with biotechnological advances, such as knee replacements and hip replacements. Goff showed the students the benefits of these procedures and used examples to show how the biotechnology mimics the movement of the natural human joints. Jordan’s students were more than excited for this trip and very grateful to have had this opportunity at Ferrum College with Goff.
