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1 Revised 05/25/2017
COURSE APPROVAL DOCUMENT
Southeast Missouri State University
Department: Modern Languages, Anthropology and Geography Course No. AN315
Title of Course: Medical Anthropology & Public Health Date: 10/20/2017
Please check: New
Revision
I. Catalog Description (Credit Hours of Course):
An introductory survey of the field of medical anthropology and anthropological interventions
in public health. Includes ethnographic research project.
II. Prerequisite(s): 15 hours of undergraduate study.
Co-requisite(s): NA
III. Purposes or Objectives of the Course:
The course prepares anthropology students to pursue further studies in the rapidly growing sub-
field of medical anthropology, and prepares students in health-oriented disciplines to engage
with the concept of cultural competence. Specifically, students will gain:
• familiarity with many foundational theories of the field of anthropology, including the
background knowledge needed to pursue further studies (e.g., independent readings & research
courses, upper-level seminars)
• familiarity with a broad range of topics studied within the field of medical anthropology,
including biomedicine, folk or ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, social (re)production of health and
illness, structural violence, and global health, among others
• a deeper understanding of cultural competence in healthcare: the relationships between culture,
status, and class, including the impact of these factors for personal and social health and illness
• recognition of the deeper significance of the rituals, beliefs, practices, and institutional
structures that surround our own beliefs and practices of health and wellbeing
• exposure to pioneering, interdisciplinary research methods through discussion of recent
anthropological literature on health and illness, medical systems, and the political economics of
globalization
• opportunities for greater understanding of their own health and its social foundations
• a guided experience in the practices of independent, collaborative, and online research
IV. Course Learning Outcomes (Minimum of 3):
a. Identify, define, and explain the concepts of “illness,” “health,” and “well-being” with
respect to the various social & cultural factors that influence people’s experiences of
these phenomena
2 Revised 05/25/2017
b. Identify, define, and explain the concepts of “ethnomedicine,” “culture bound
syndrome,” and “medical pluralism”
c. Summarize and explain in a public forum the relationship between social inequities and
health disparities
d. Critically evaluate case studies of health treatments or public health interventions
V. Names of Faculty Qualified to Teach the Proposed Course:
A. Dr. Doc Billingsley
VI. Course Content or Outline (Indicate number of class hours per unit or section):
A. Introductions & Course Expectations (6 hrs)
a. A Brief Introduction to Anthropology
b. Defining Medical Anthropology
B. History & Context of Medical Anthro (6 hrs)
a. What Medical Anthropologists Do
b. Methods & Interventions
C. Health, Wellness, Illness, Disease (3 hrs)
a. Experiences & Perspectives
D. Health Disparity & Health Inequality (12 hrs)
a. Access & Cultural Competence
b. Cross-Cultural Disparities
c. Addressing Disparity & the Case of “Race”
d. Structural Inequality / Structural Violence
e. Recap: Casa de Salud (Fieldtrip debriefing)
E. Ethnographic Research Project and Planning (6 hrs)
a. Brief Intro to Ethnographic Methods
b. Setup for Ethnographic Research Project
F. Ethnomedicine (6 hrs)
a. Biomedicine as Ethnomedicine
b. Medical Pluralism: Three Cases
3 Revised 05/25/2017
c. Complementary and Alternative Medicine
d. Cross-Cultural Understanding of Illnesses
e. Culture-Bound Syndromes
G. Cross-Cultural Health & Illness: Looking Back, Looking Ahead (6 hrs)
a. Disease in the Future
b. Health in the Future
c. Case Study: Lia Lee and Cross-Cultural Health Communication
d. Recap: Lessons from Medical Anthropology
Attach the following:
• copy of example class syllabus and course schedule.
• memo from Library Dean assessing available and needed library holdings and resources.
• memo(s) from Department Chairs in affected departments stating possible issues and/or
conflicts are resolved.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: _______________
Chair
Signature: __________________________________ Date: _______________
Dean
1
AN 315 Medical Anthropology & Public Health
Southeast Missouri State University
--- 2019
Class time:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:30—10:45 AM
Classroom:
Art Building 101
Moodle page: ---
Professor: ---.
Email: --- Office: ---
Office hours1:
❖ ---
Course Description
Across time and around the world, members of diverse societies have relied on different systems
of knowledge to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. The field of medical anthropology specializes
in analyzing cross-cultural approaches to health and illness, identifying how different societies
experience sickness and well-being. This course serves as an introductory survey of topics in
medical anthropology, and a gateway to more advanced courses in medical and cultural
anthropology. We will address several approaches and key topics of research within medical
anthropology, including reproductive health & family planning, ethnomedicine, international
public health, emerging diseases, culture bound syndromes, health disparities, political economy,
and structural vulnerability. We will focus on numerous case studies that illustrate the tools and
challenges of the field, including site visits and conversations with guest speakers. We will also
include special attention to the research methods of medical anthropology, new directions in
applied health research, and discussion of careers in medical anthropology.
Course Learning Objectives
Students who fully participate in this course will gain:
❖ a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and technology over the
course of humankind’s existence on Earth
❖ recognition of the deeper significance of rituals, beliefs, practices, and institutional
structures that are typically taken for granted
❖ exposure to recent anthropological literature on science and technology, bio-ethics,
artificial intelligence, and non-human primates
1 I am often in my office at other hours, and I welcome students to stop by and knock on my door. However, I may be juggling several projects, preparing for class, writing articles, or taking care of a sick toddler/infant. These listed office hours are set aside specifically for meeting with students and offering my full attention. I encourage you to stop by if you have questions about the class, anthropology, research, or studying abroad.
2
❖ a guided experience in the practices of independent, ethical scholarship and sharing
ideas through digital media
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing this class, students will be able to:
1. Identify, define, and explain the concepts of “illness,” “health,” and “well-being” with
respect to the various social & cultural factors that influence people’s experiences of these
phenomena
2. Identify, define, and explain the concepts of “ethnomedicine,” “culture bound syndrome,”
and “medical pluralism”
3. Summarize and explain in a public forum the relationship between social inequities and
health disparities
4. Critically evaluate international case studies of health treatments or public health
interventions
Evaluation and Grading
AN 315 is designed as a research-intensive seminar class. Instead of exams or quizzes, students
will be evaluated based on their participation in the class through short writing exercises,
presentations, forum discussions, and a field-based learning project.
Item Due Date
Point
Value
Short Essays
Essay #1: Reflection 8-29 75
Essay #2: Film response 9-19 75
Essay #3: Book response 12-5 100
Video Presentation Case Study Video Presentation Varies 200
Forum Q&A Varies 50
Topic Posters
Submitted Poster 9-26 150
Poster comments 10-3 50
Response to comments 10-10 50
Ethnographic Project
Question Schedule 10-19 50
Progress Report #1 11-2 50
Progress Report #2 11-16 50
Final Symposium 12-14 100
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Grades in this class are evenly divided between four categories of assignments: Short essays, a
Video Presentation about a medical anthropology case study, a Topic Poster about a medical
anthropology research topic, and an Ethnographic Project that involves gathering folk knowledge
about health and disease in the community. Additionally, there are 3 available extra credit
opportunities, based on fieldtrips, guest speakers, and other make-up options.
Required Texts
Singer, Merrill & Hans Baer. 2011. Introducing Medical Anthropology: A Discipline in Action. 2nd edition. Altamira. ISBN: 9780759120891
Fadiman, Anne. 2012. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Anniversary ed. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374533403 Additional readings will be posted on Moodle. Note that AN 315 includes a video presentation component. Students will require a computer with recording capabilities, or access to the video recording facilities located in Kent Library—the One Button Studio and/or the Greene Multimedia Center. Check the Library website for additional information about hours and availability.
Course Policies
One of the cornerstones of my teaching philosophy is to adapt my courses, to the extent possible,
to the interests and personal experiences of my students. Accordingly, as the semester progresses
and we learn more about each other, I will adjust in-class activities and lectures to highlight topics,
places, and research methods that students find especially thought-provoking. If something
catches your eye as we proceed, feel free to contact me after class or by email to share your
thoughts—it’s one of my favorite things about teaching!
Extra Credit Opportunities (2 of 3) 10-12 15 each
Total points: 1000
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Southeast Policies on Conduct
Academic Honesty & Plagiarism
The Southeast Missouri State University Undergraduate Bulletin defines academic dishonesty as
"...those acts which would deceive, cheat, or defraud so as to promote or enhance one's scholastic
record. Knowingly or actively assisting any person in the commission of an above-mentioned act
is also academic dishonesty” (p. 20).
You are expected to complete all work in this course individually -- without the assistance of
anyone else (unless otherwise specified in an assignment). I take instances of academic dishonesty
very seriously and will seek the strictest sanction for students in violation of the Honesty Policy.
Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin, pages 20-23 for the list of possible violations and
procedures associated with them. For a full copy of the Academic Honesty Policy at the University,
visit http://www.semo.edu/facultysenate/handbook/5d.html. A student's failure to recognize what
actions constitute academic dishonesty is not considered an acceptable excuse. An assignment
submitted that includes any aspect of academic dishonesty will be penalized with a grade of zero
points awarded. In addition, repeat or severe instances of academic dishonesty may result in receipt
of an "F" course grade. Furthermore, the Office of the Dean of Students will be made aware of the
violation.
Nondiscrimination
Southeast Missouri State University is committed to providing a safe, civil, and positive learning
and working environment for its faculty, staff, students, and visitors, free from discrimination in
any form. This policy applies to all members and guests of the University community and prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status in any
of its programs or activities. Harassment based on any of these classifications is a form of
discrimination that also violates University policy and will not be tolerated. In some circumstances,
such discrimination may also violate federal and/or state law. Retaliation is also prohibited against
anyone who asserts a claim of discrimination, participates in a discrimination investigation, or
otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination.
This policy is consistent with the academic mission of the University and with the legal
requirements of applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. These laws include,
but are not limited to: Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, the Missouri Human Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
Act of 2008, and all amendments to the foregoing. Questions about the information in this policy
or about the application of this policy may be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity and
Diversity: [email protected] Phone: 573-651-2524
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Civility and Harassment
Per the handbook: “Every student at Southeast is obligated at all times to assume responsibility for
his/her actions, to respect constituted authority, to be truthful, and to respect the rights of others,
as well as to respect private and public property. In their academic activities, students are expected
to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity and abide by the University's Policy on
Academic Honesty. Alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct are adjudicated in
accordance with the established procedures of the judicial system.” For additional information on
the Code of Student Conduct, visit http://www.semo.edu/pdf/stuconduct-code-conduct.pdf.
Accordingly, you will be expected to behave in a respectful manner toward the professor as well
as toward your fellow students. Any form of discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated.
We may at times discuss controversial traditions, practices, beliefs, and world events. Discussion
is encouraged; aggressive speech and behavior are not. Students are expected to approach topics
maturely and civilly, especially when there are points of disagreement. This is a key part of the
experience of learning!
Sexual Misconduct
A special note about sexual assault and support services: Southeast Missouri State University
prohibits and will not tolerate sexual misconduct / sexual violence in any form by or against
students, faculty, or staff. As a faculty member, I am required to report any information about
sexual misconduct to the university's Title IX coordinators. In other words, if you share this
information with me, I must pass it along -- but only to people who can help you.
There are many avenues for support, and many people who have had similar experiences. If you
have experienced sexual misconduct, I encourage you to reach out—you do not have to go it
alone.
Accommodations & Campus Resources
Our mission: Southeast Missouri State University provides student‐centered education and
experiential learning with a foundation of liberal arts and sciences, embracing a tradition of access,
exceptional teaching, and commitment to student success that significantly contributes to the
development of the region and beyond. Southeast offers exceptional academic support to all
enrolled students. I strongly encourage students to make use of these resources whenever
appropriate.
Academic accommodations
I aim to create an inclusive and empowering classroom environment for all students. Please notify
me at the start of the semester if you have a documented disability or circumstances that may
impact your work and participation, or if there are tools and techniques that enable you to perform
work that would otherwise be unfeasible.
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Additionally, any student who has special needs regarding testing or class administration should
contact the Office for Disability Support Services in order to have accommodations implemented.
Many services and accommodations which aid a student's educational experience are available for
students with various types of disabilities. Accommodations are implemented on a case by case
basis and may require documentation from a medical professional. For more information visit the
following site: www.semo.edu/ds or visit Room 302 of the University Center. Disability Services
may also be contacted by phone at 573-651-2273 or 573-651-5927.
Any student registered with Disability Services who needs an accommodation or other assistance
in this course should contact me as soon as possible, preferably during the first few days of class
or sooner if accommodations are needed immediately. I have seen the difference that these
accommodations can make for students who require them, and I strongly encourage you to contact
Disability Services if you have questions about their services.
Writing.
The Southeast Writing Lab is located in Room 103 of Memorial Hall (just across the street from
the Art Building). This lab offers one-on-one assistance in all stages of the writing process. If I
cannot answer your questions, or if you prefer working with trained writing fellows and student
peers, be sure to check out their services. Note that they offer online assistance, as well.
http://www.semo.edu/writing/writing_lab.html
Public Speaking.
The Department of Communication Studies hosts a Speaker’s Lab and resource center in
Academic Hall, Rooms 203 & 204. Walk-ins are welcome. Those seeking assistance should bring
along the relevant assignment description as well as a hard copy of their presentation
outline/manuscript. Check the website for additional information and walk-in hours:
http://www.semo.edu/commstudies/src/library.html
Tutoring.
Southeast provides tutoring support for all enrolled students through the Academic Support
Centers, including the Learning Assistance Programs, which offer one-on-one tutoring in Kent
Library. There are additional programs to assist with mentoring, educational access, and support
for students who are under-represented because of income, family educational background,
disability, or other criteria. http://www.semo.edu/lap/tutorial_services.html
Research & Information Literacy.
The wonderful librarians at Kent Library are on hand to offer assistance with the processes of
identifying academic resources for your research papers and presentations. You can visit their
Research Help Desk on the upper floor, or contact them online or via SMS:
http://library.semo.edu/research-help/ask-us
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College success & financial literacy.
The Office of Learning Assistance Programs offers additional student support, including a series
of College Success Seminars each semester that features information about study skills, time
management, reading & writing strategies, student loans and finances, etc.
http://www.semo.edu/lap/programs/success_seminars.html
Counseling & mental health support.
Southeast offers students a variety of professional resources to assist with mental health concerns,
stress and wellness management, and counseling services. Please contact the office for counseling
at 573-986-6191, or feel free to make use of the Counselor Education Training Clinic coordinated
by Dr. Kirsten LaMantia: [email protected] or 573-651-2399.
Campus Computer Labs
There are many computer labs available to students on the SEMO campus. Most lab computers
will have the Microsoft Office software installed, if you should need access to these programs to
complete an assignment. The Southeast computer labs are open as early as 7:30 a.m.(Dempster)
and as late as midnight, and the Towers lab is open 24 hours a day Monday through Thursday. The
computer labs are open and closed according to different schedules during Finals Week, as well as
during holidays and university breaks. For up-to-date information about lab availability, including
a real-time report of how many computers are available or in use within each lab location, visit
http://www.semo.edu/it/itcomputerlabs/lab-availability.html
Instructions and Help Topics
The Southeast IT Help Desk offers 24-hour technical support during the academic year. Visit
http://www.semo.edu/it/helpdesk/ for more details, including assistance via web chat, phone, or
email. There are numerous tutorials and FAQs available for assistance with common technical
issues.
As of Fall 2016, Kent Library offers a family-friendly computer room for students who have young
children. The room includes a computer for student use and a small television with kid-appropriate
movies and other games and toys. Decorations on the walls include finger-painted images made
by the children of anthropology students and faculty (including my daughter!). See any librarian
or lab assistant in the Kent Computer Lab for details.
Support and information about sexual/gender identity/orientation
The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is located on the second floor of the University Center, housed in
the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) room 204. The Resource Center is currently staffed by
six Peer Mentors and a Graduate Assistant. Dr. Billingsley has completed the Safe Zone Program
training program. Please note that Southeast offers 35 gender-neutral bathrooms around campus,
including 2 (nice!) restrooms on the third floor of the Art Building.
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Honors Contracts
Are you in the Jane Stephens Honors Program and interested in creating an honors contract? I am an Honors Faculty member and would be more than happy to work with you this semester. Please contact me during the first two weeks of class through email, office hours, or before/after class to discuss the possibilities.
Caveats
Questions, comments or requests regarding this course or program should be taken to your
instructor. Unanswered questions or unresolved issues involving this class may be directed to Dr.
Toni Alexander, Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Anthropology, and Geography.
Art Building 203A, [email protected], 573-651-2146.
I reserve the right to revise this syllabus.
Schedule
Date Topic Readings Assignments
Tuesday --- 1.1: Introductions &
Course Expectations
Essay #1 Assigned
Thursday --- 1.2: A Brief
Introduction to Anthropology
Syllabus
Tuesday --- 2.1: Defining
Medical Anthropology
Singer & Baer (pp. 1-12) Essay #1: Reflection on
an Illness Due
Thursday --- 2.2: History &
Context of Medical Anthro
Singer & Baer (pp. 17-41)
Tuesday --- 3.1: What Medical
Anthropologists Do Singer & Baer (pp. 43-58)
Topic Posters Assigned
Essay #2 Assigned
Thursday --- 3.2: Methods & Interventions
Singer & Baer (pp. (58-75)
Tuesday --- 4.1: Health,
Wellness, Illness, Disease
Singer & Baer (pp. 77-86) TBA
Thursday --- 4.2: Experiences &
Perspectives Singer & Baer (pp. 86-100,
109, 110-115) Video presentations
assigned
Tuesday --- 5.1: Health Disparity & Health Inequality
Singer & Baer (pp. 175-182) Essay #2: Film Response Due
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Thursday --- 5.2: Access &
Cultural Competence
Singer & Baer (pp. 182-188) Goodman & Benson,
“Anthropology in the Clinic”
Tuesday --- 6.1: Cross-Cultural
Disparities Singer & Baer (pp. 188-197)
Topic Posters Due (on Moodle)
Thursday --- 6.2: Addressing Disparity & the Case of “Race”
Singer & Baer (pp. 197-205) Goodman, “Disease and Dying
while Black” Anthropology.link/jablonski
Tuesday --- 7.1: Structural Inequality /
Structural Violence
Holmes, TBA Anthropology.link/chary
Topic Posters: Comments Due
Thursday --- 7.2: Recap: Casa de
Salud TBA
Tuesday --- 8.1: Brief Intro to
Ethnographic Methods
TBA
Presentations 1 & 2
Topic Posters: Responses Due
Thursday --- 8.2: Setup TBA
Presentations 3 & 4
Ethnographic Project Assigned
Make-up extra credit due
Tuesday --- 9.1:
Ethnomedicine Singer & Baer (pp. 117-
125) Presentations 5 & 6
Thursday --- 9.2: Biomedicine as Ethnomedicine
Singer & Baer (pp. 126, 129, 132-142)
Presentations 7 & 8
Ethnographic Project: Question Schedule due (on
Moodle)
Tuesday --- 10.1: Medical
Pluralism: Three Cases
Singer & Baer (pp. 143-158)
Presentations 9 & 10
Thursday ---
10.2: Complementary and Alternative
Medicine
Singer & Baer (pp. 164-171)
Hahn, “The Nocebo Phenomenon”
Presentations 11 & 12
Tuesday --- 11.1: Cross-Cultural Understanding of
Illnesses
Grinker, “What in the World is Autism?”
Presentations 13 & 14
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Thursday --- 11.2: Culture-
Bound Syndromes TBA
Presentations 15 & 16
Ethnographic Project: Progress Report #1 due (on
Moodle)
Tuesday --- 12.1: Disease in the
Future Singer & Baer (pp. 207-
211, 214-226) Presentations 17 & 18
Thursday --- 12.2: Health in the
Future Singer & Baer (pp. 226-
240) Presentations 19 & 20
Tuesday --- 13.1: Case Study:
Lia Lee Fadiman (preface thru
Ch. 3, pp. vii-31)
Presentations 21 & 22
Essay #3 Assigned
Thursday --- 13.2: Lia Lee Fadiman (e.g., Ch. 4-7)
Presentations 23 & 24
Ethnographic Project: Progress Report #2 due
Tuesday --- 14.1: Lia Lee Fadiman (e.g., Ch. 8-12) Presentations 25 & 26
Thursday --- 14.2: Lia Lee Fadiman (e.g., Ch. 13-17)
Tuesday ---
15.1: Recap: Lia Lee & Cross-
Cultural Health Communication
Fadiman (completed by this date)
Anthropology.link/lialee
Essay #3: Reflections on The Spirit Catches You and You
Fall Down Due
Thursday ---
15.2: Recap: Lessons from
Medical Anthropology
TBA
Thursday, --- Final Exam 8:00AM
Final Research Symposium