Anthropological Perspectives of Migration and Health

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of anthropological perspectives on transnational migration and health. We will focus particularly on health and health care issues concerning refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. This course will focus on the following topics: the physical and mental health consequences of forced migration; refugee trauma; the intersection of health care and immigration policies; immigration and health care access and utilization. Readings and coursework will consider the sociocultural, political, and economic factors that contribute to migrant health disparities. We will also address issues of medical pluralism among transnational migrants and critically examine the concept of cultural competence in clinical settings. Class readings will comprise a variety of theoretical and ethnographic literature within anthropology and closely related disciplines, drawing on cases from across the globe and in cross-cultural comparison. The class will use lectures, readings, and class discussions to explore these relevant issues in migration and health, with the opportunity to engage in hands on ethnographic work with refugees locally. Offered as ANTH 329 and ANTH 429 .