Course Description:
We will begin this course with an exploration of our own ethnocentrism
and the concept of ethnorelativism. From
this vantage point, we will explore the social construction of disease across
diverse cultures. We will then turn to an exploration of major theoretical
approaches to the study of culture and health. Our discussions
will lead to thoughtful and provoking discussions of how ethnographic perspective,
theory and observation may be applied to contemporary Western models.
We will question how societies come to define illness, and how the identification
and treatment of illness occurs in a politicized context in which one
must take into account gender, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and
societal positioning within a global economy. As we explore these
questions, we will learn more about the medical systems of a variety of
cultures from Southeast Asia, Africa, the United
States, and Latin America.
The focus here will be on many of the most recent refugee and immigrant
groups to come to the area.
We know that learning occurs at a deeper, more lasting level when we process
information in a variety of ways through multiple mediums. Keeping
this in mind, the course format is structured to be highly interactive,
experiential, and research oriented. You will view streaming video,
engage in weekly discussions, and take part in a group project. Key
lecture points will be underscored with web sites, audio and visual materials. Students will be asked to take an active
part in the learning process through activities which demand small amounts
of additional research outside the class (depending upon the assignment
it may be library research or field work). In addition, I encourage students
to contact me for further discussion of course materials on a one-on-one
basis.
Grading:
Discussion Assignments and Participation........................................................200
(20 points each X 10)
Culture Bound Illness Assignment…………………………………………….100
Community Needs Assessment…………………………………………………100
Essay Assignment, The Spirit Catches
You and You Fall Down.......................100
Total……………………………………………………………………………..500
points
Participation in Discussion
During the term you will complete eight discussion assignments.
Discussion assignments will be due no later than Wednesday for the week
the assignment is assigned. Respond to two students by Sunday of that week.
My desire is to see discussions unfold throughout this period. Please
post your response, view other students’ work, and engage in discussion.
Re-enter the discussion during the week to create and ongoing conversation.
Participation in discussion is a critical aspect of this class.
Through discussion we will learn a great deal about others, ourselves, and
different ways to perceive the world around us. When you are caught of
guard by another person’s insight or perspective on an issue, you
are forced to examine your own opinions, assumptions, and values. This
is invaluable to the learning process. As you develop your responses, consider
how you might add value to our discussion. Add new information, an important
reference to the text, engage in debate, etc. Replies of “good work”
or “well done” are supportive in nature, but will not count
towards your grade.
In other words, give our discussions time and attention. Demonstrate a
willingness to hear others’ ideas, play with new ideas, and show respect
across our differences and similarities. If you do, you will come away
from this course with new and worthwhile knowledge.
Because the point of the discussions is to encourage interaction, late
responses will NOT receive points. I will evaluate your participation
in discussion keeping the following rubric in mind:
Knowledge
of the Material
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs Improvement
Willingness
to Play with New Ideas
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs Improvement
Thoroughness
in Answering the Discussion Question/Issue
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs
Improvement
Ability
to Draw Connections
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs Improvement
Depth
and Reflection Evident in the Analysis
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs Improvement
Engagement
with Discussion Participants
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Excellent
Competent Needs Improvement
Schedule of Topics,
Readings, and Assignments
Please Note: Weeks run Monday through Sunday. Discussion assignments
are due by the Wednesday of that week, and two substantive responses to
other students for each discussion must be posted by the following Sunday.
| Topic |
Reading |
Assignments* |
| Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
(6/13 – 6/19) |
Introduction
Bennett article |
Graded Discussion 1: Multicultural Self
Graded Discussion 2: Race and Ethnicity |
| Medical Ecology and the Western Model
of Illness
(6/20 – 6/26) |
Chapter Two |
Graded Discussion: Health and Illness |
| Culture Bound Illness
(6/27 - 7/3) |
Independent research |
Culture Bound Illness Assignment due 7/3 |
| Diverse Communities and Health Care
(7/4 – 7/10) |
Chapters 3 and 4 |
Community Needs Assessment Due 7/10 |
| Language, Culture, and Health
(7/11 – 7/17) |
Chapter 5 |
Graded Discussion: Multicultural Communication
Analysis |
| Birth and Death
(718 – 7/24) |
Chapters 6 and 7 |
Graded Discussion 1: It’s your birthday!
Graded Discussion 2: Values about death |
| Culture, Stress, and Alternative Health
(7/25 – 7/31) |
Chapter 11 |
Graded Discussion: Alternative Health
Movement |
| Mental Health
(8/1 – 8/7) |
Chapter 10 |
Graded Discussion: Mental Health in Popular
Films |
| The Impact of Biotechnologies
(8/8 – 8/14) |
Web Tour |
Graded Discussion: Human Genome Project |
| Medical Anthropology and Global Health
(8/15 – 8/18) |
Chapter 13 |
Graded Discussion: Field Assignment
Spirit Catches You Assignment Due 8/18 |
| |
|
|