Module ANTH40230: THEORY, METHODS AND PRINCIPLES IN MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Department: Anthropology

ANTH40230: THEORY, METHODS AND PRINCIPLES IN MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To give students advanced subject-specific knowledge which is core to medical anthropology. The course is seminar and practice-based, giving students the opportunity to read, synthesise and present recent primary literature and major reviews within the full range of medical anthropology. Students prepare presentations individually and collaboratively, and engage in a mini-research project involving appropriate anthropological research methods. Thus, students are brought into contact with up-to-date research, are encouraged to evaluate it critically, conduct research themselves, and gain practice in presenting relevant material to others.

Content

• Concepts, approaches and methods in medical anthropology.
• How medical anthropologists study and write about the distribution, interpretation and treatment of health and illness around the world, from a variety of standpoints: social, cultural, ecological and evolutionary.
• The contribution of medical anthropology to health policy and planning.
• The research methods in medical anthropology.

Learning Outcomes

• a) Historical background and current literature in medical anthropology
• b) Methodological issues in participatory applied anthropology
• c) Theoretical underpinnings of medical anthropology
• d) Areas of debate and controversy in contemporary medical anthropology

• a) Practical and theoretical training to enable continuation to PhD level research in medical anthropology, with appropriate support and facilities, or to carry out anthropological research in health contexts.
• b) Ability to synthesise, critically evaluate and present complex anthropological material, including data, models and theoretical arguments.

• a) Students should be able to express themselves clearly and concisely on technical topics, and explain why particular issues are important and/or controversial.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Modes of Teaching and Learning:
• TMPMA is an intensive seminar and practice-based course. Seminars provide an opportunity for students to read, synthesise and present recent primary references and major reviews within the full range of medical anthropology (Learning Outcomes 1a-1d). Students prepare presentations individually and collaboratively. Thus students are brought into contact with up-to-date research are encouraged to evaluate it critically and gain practice in presenting relevant materials to others and in learning collaboratively (Learning Outcomes 2a, 2b, 3a). Students also gain practical experience of conducting mini-research projects using appropriate anthropological research methods.
• Assessment:
• Summative assessment is by means of a 2 hour exam, requiring students to write two essays and by the completion of a 3,000 word research report. This module of assessment has been chosen because we wish to ensure that students have a good knowledge of both the range of material covered in the course and of how to conduct research relevant to medical anthropology in an appropriate manner. The examination will assess all the learning outcomes. The research report will assess the subject and key skills learning outcomes and one or more of the subject knowledge and learning outcomes, depending on the nature of the research project the student undertakes.
• Formative assessment will be provided from comment and evaluation of a portfolio of preliminary research notes and other materials, and through feedback in response to student presentations at seminars. Students will also be given some 'mock' exam questions to complete.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Comment and evaluation of research notes. Peer assessment feedback on seminar presentations. Feedback on 'mock' exam questions.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University