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

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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

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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

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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.

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❖ 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: equityissues@semo.edu 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: klamantia@semo.edu 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, talexander@semo.edu, 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