Medical Anthropology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Introduces medical anthropology, the subfield exploring the biological and cultural dimensions of health, illness and healing across diverse societies. Defines and discusses key concepts, such as health, illness and disease, in relation to various social, environmental, political and evolutionary contexts. Analyzes the interconnections among micro- and macrobiological, cultural, social and political determinants to construct a holistic view of human health. Engages with contemporary and emerging issues in health and healthcare, emphasizing the comparative analysis of global medical systems. Compares and contrasts biomedicine with other ethnomedical systems to evaluate its role within diverse cultural contexts. Develops critical thinking, reading, writing and collaboration skills for engaging with multiple perspectives on health. Note that course content may include complex or sensitive topics designed to foster critical engagement. TOPICS AND THEMES. Surveys foundational theories and methodologies. Analyzes cultural beliefs and environmental influences on health, including ecological and evolutionary disease patterning. Explores health-related behaviors, mental health, medical systems and explanatory models across diverse cultural contexts. Examines environmental health challenges, globalization and infectious disease. Considers gender, race/racism, social inequality and health disparities. Discusses professional applications and emerging issues in the subdiscipline. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.