ASS206 - Medical Anthropology
Unit details
| Year: | 2020 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester. Last updated: 2 June 2020 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online), CBD* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: David Giles |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASS306 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour class per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 1-hour class per week (recordings provided), 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
Note:*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery | |
Content
The study of human knowledge systems in the area of health and illness lies at the heart of anthropology as a whole. Medical anthropology is thus central to the discipline and is also a major point of articulation between anthropology and other sciences. In this unit, students will learn the key concepts and approaches in medical anthropology through both the study of non-western medical knowledge systems as well as the study of western medicine, or biomedicine, as a distinctive cultural system. Through detailed case studies of different medical phenomena and how humans act in relation to these phenomena, students will examine health and healing from a cross-cultural perspective. Fundamental concepts such as the division between mind and body, the idea of disease pathology, plural medical systems and culture-bound syndromes will be examined. Special emphasis is given to studying developing or third world contexts where disparities in wealth and resources impact upon health.
| These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | ||
| ULO1 | Manage your time effectively and organise your study related activities | GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO2 | Comprehend and critically evaluate a range of information and informational sources (focused through both essay and examination assessments) | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Communicate clearly in written and oral arguments, and debate on issues of both theory and practice (through essays, seminars and online discussions) | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO4 | Utilise bibliographic and other databases, primarily through the library and associated internet resources | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO5 | Utilise online teaching resources through CloudDeakin | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO6 | Evaluate theory and the relations between abstract and concrete processes and practices (which are key skills that we expect students to demonstrate through their assignments) | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
Trimester 2:| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Online exercises | 20% | Information not yet available | |
| Assessment 2 - Online quizzes | 20% | Information not yet available | |
| Assessment 3 - Essay | 35% | Information not yet available | |
| Assessment 4 - Group project | 25% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: ASS206 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Click on the fee link below which describes you: