Minor in Medical Anthropology

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About

Medical anthropology is the subfield of anthropology that examines how social, cultural, biological, and historical variables shape health and wellbeing. Even though healthcare providers and public health officials are dedicated to treating sickness and preventing the spread of disease, their focus and methodology is based in the biological sciences. Medical anthropologists seek to holistically understand human health and social life by studying the sociocultural roots and ramifications of illness and disease.

The medical anthropology minor is a unique program that draws together both biological, cultural, and techno-environmental factors to ask:

  • What shapes health and illness?
  • Who falls ill, and from what causes?
  • Who has, or does not have, access to health care?
  • How do different groups, both within the U.S. and around the world, think about the body, health, and healing?
  • How do these different perspectives lead to culturally mediated approaches to treatment?
  • What can we learn from cross-cultural practices as we work to ensure good health for all?

In this program, you’ll learn about the many diverse medical systems and kinds of care in communities around the world.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Medical Anthropology Minor

Required Core Courses
ANTR 342MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY5
ANTR 340ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOOD AND NUTRITION5
Elective and Topical Area Courses–choose one–other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Medical Anthropology Minor Advisor5
Total Credits15

Sample Courses

ANTR 266. GENDER, HEALTH AND MARGINALIZATION. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: DSST 266, GWSS 266.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent.
Satisfies: a BACR for social sciences.
This interdisciplinary course explores personal, social, and political concerns regarding gender and health, including public health practice, epidemiological research, health policy, and access to health services. It includes discussion of health and reproductive justice activism.

Catalog Listing

ANTR 342. MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
The course introduces students to cross-cultural perspectives and critical theories in anthropological studies of medicine. Special attention is given to diverse ways of understanding bodies, illnesses, and therapeutic practices in our changing world. Specifically, it compares non-medical models of disease causality and healing with biomedical establishments, and examines how social and technological inequalities shape health and health outcomes.

Catalog Listing

ANTR 340. ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOOD AND NUTRITION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
This course considers cultural and social significance of food by exploring the diverse ways in which people and communities across the world embed meaning in the types of foods consumed, the manner in which food is prepared and the ways in which meals are served. Topics may include hunger, malnutrition and famine, food security and food sovereignty, dietary patterns, commodification of foods and food-related social movements.

Catalog Listing

ANTR 359. TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
This course is a variable topics course exploring current interests and specific research foci in each of the four sub-fields of anthropology. Topics might include anthropological perspectives on contemporary issues; current research interests of specific faculty; further investigation of sub-topics included in large survey courses.

Catalog Listing