Anthropology: Culture, Health and Healing

Introduction to medical anthropology. Social and cultural perspectives on health and illness experiences, doctor-patient interactions, healing practices, and access to health and health care. Prerequisites: ANTH 1100, ANTH 1190, or three hours of Sociology.

Prereqs: ANTH 1100 or ANTH 1190 or three hours of Sociology Asynchonous online PACE students with permission and override

This course provides an introduction to medical anthropology, an important subfield of anthropology which involves both academic research and practical applications. Medical anthropology brings social and cultural perspectives to the exploration of health and illness experiences, healer-patient interactions, healing traditions and therapeutic practices, and the political economy of health and health care within and across different societies and cultures of the world.

1) Understand the dimensions, dynamics, and challenges of implementing successful Global Health and Public Health projects and information campaigns. 2) Understand the various factors (global, environmental, social, political, historical, cultural, and economic) that structure health risks differently for different segments of societies around the world 3) Understand the ethics and responsibilities of conducting medical anthropological research among the world’s diverse populations 4) Understand the vast diversity of non-Western models of health, illness, and risk and how these explanatory models reflect and serve the local cultures that produce them 5) Analyze the roles, relationships, and resources of the entities influencing global health 6) Demonstrate critical self-reflection, cultural competency, and ongoing learning in global health

This asynchronous online course requires students to regularly engage on Brightspace, keeping up with readings, lectures, and assignments. Coursework includes textbook and supplemental readings, as well as recorded media. Students will complete three quizzes covering lectures and readings, with the final quiz serving as a cumulative exam. The major project, the Global Health Teams Assignment (GHTA), asks students to assume the role of a WHO medical anthropologist preparing for deployment to a country facing health challenges. This multi-part assignment involves reflecting on goals, researching healthcare systems and barriers, synthesizing findings, and creating a culturally competent health education infographic. All work must be submitted by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. each week.