Course Description
Introduction to medical anthropology from an ecological and biocultural perspective. Drawing from theory and case studies, we focus on the interaction between environment, biology, culture, and society as determinants of health and health problems.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Builds graduate students knowledge of medical anthropology
literature and encourage the development of professional
reading and research skills. In consultation with the
professor, graduate students will select a course topic to
explore in depth. Graduate students will review literature
around a course topic, prepare an annotated bibliography, and
provide a brief oral presentation of their literature review to
the class as the topic is discussed. In addition, graduate
students will write a term paper exploring an aspect of the
topic relevant to their academic goals.
Athena Title
HLTH BIOL & CUL
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Demonstrated understanding, through examination, of key theory and methods in medical and biocultural anthropology. 2. Ability to analyze biological and cultural factors that impact the social distribution of health 3. Ability to apply framework of medical anthropology to contemporary health problems in the U.S. and abroad. 4. Ability to read and synthesize academic and popular literature related to Medical Anthropology. In consultation with the instructor, students will select a course topic to complete a research project and paper. This, of course, will require students to: Assimilate, analyze, and present in written forms a body of information; interpret content of written materials on related topics from various disciplines; and produce writing that is stylistically appropriate and mature. This will require the ability to utilize various modes of technology such as: performing web searches, using word processing software, and email to contact instructor with topic of paper, etc. These papers/research projects will be discussed in class. Be prepared to consider and engage opposing points of view. Student will support a consistent purpose and point of view as well as analyze all arguments. When called on, student will assimilate, analyze, and present a body of information.
Topical Outline
1. Defining health, illness, and disease 2. Ecology, adaptation, and evolution 3. Culture and political economy 4. Healing traditions and medical pluralism 5. Health transitions 6. Mothers and infants 7. Nutrition, growth, and child health 8. Infections and global health 9. Infections and inequality 10. Health and culture change 11. Race and health disparities 12. Environment and health 13. Papers/Projects assigned 14. Begin class presentations
Syllabus