Module ANTH1041: Health, Illness and Society

Department: Anthropology

ANTH1041: Health, Illness and Society

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the concepts, approaches and methods of medical anthropology and evolutionary medicine, as multi- and interdisciplinary fields.
• To promote the value of a multidisciplinary perspective to the study of health and illness.
• To give an insight into how social, cultural, biological and evolutionary factors interact in the field of health and disease.
• To show the potential for medical anthropology and evolutionary medicine to contribute to health policy and planning in our own and other societies.

Content

• The social and evolutionary aspects of the anthropology of health.
• Topics may change from year to year, but indicative content is likely to include the following:
• Health, disease, illness and sickness
• Health systems and the sectors of healthcare
• Evolutionary, ecological and social approaches to individual and population health

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the main concepts, approaches and methods used by anthropologists in the study of health and ill-health.
• Understand the scope of medical anthropology and evolutionary medicine and their relationships to the wider disciplines of social anthropology and biological anthropology.
• Insight into one or more non-western health world-views.
• Familiarity with some of the biological, ecological and socio-cultural aspects of health and ill-health across and within societies and individuals.

• Read and understand some key texts that address practical and theoretical issues relating to health.
• Prepare short written assignments on health-related topics.
• Develop cross-cultural empathy and understanding in relation to notions of health and illness in different societies.

• Ability to evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources (e.g. written, oral and internet)
• An ability to construct reasoned arguments
• Ability to frame research issues and problems

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

• Weekly lectures will introduce students to key topics and theories within the Anthropology Health, and provide a framework for further reading.
• Seminars (4 per term) enable further discussion and clarification of materials as well as opportunities to undertake, discuss and reflect on formative and summative assessments.
• Summative assessment will consist of two 1500 word essays. These are intended to enable students to demonstrate their learning and progression against materials presented in the course. Formative assessment consists of short practice essays, helping students learn how to develop a logical argument.
• The module Blackboard Learn Ultra site serves to ensure that students can find the information about the module they require at any time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Practice essays to enhance students’ engagement with the subject matter and ability to use the material to develop a clear argument.

■ 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