Biomedicine and Culture (306-0-1)
Instructors
Noelle Sullivan
847/467-2780
1800 Sherman Ave, Suite 1-200, #1-102, Evanston
Meeting Info
555 Clark 230: Tues 11:00AM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Biomedicine (aka "Western" or allopathic medicine) is often represented as neutral and ‘scientific'— the opposite of culture. Yet experiences and practices surrounding biomedicine are influenced by culture, history, (infra)structures, and flows of ideas, people and resources. Thus, this course begins with the premise that biomedicine is produced through social processes, and therefore has its own inherent culture(s). The aim of this seminar course is to expose students to the social and cultural aspects of biomedicine through a geographic comparison between select world regions. Focusing on the interrelations between technology, medicine, science, politics, society, religion, power and place, topics covered will include: medical history, learning medicine, rethinking "care", and unexpected aspects of biomedical cultures and practice. Through a focus on the logics by which biomedicine is practiced, we will be able to get into additional depth regarding how race, class, gender, history, and politics shape what medicine gets to be in different contexts, while also understanding how biomedicine converges with political economy, business, bureaucracy, profit, global health, and humanitarianism.
Class Materials (Required)
Smith-Oka, Vania (2021) Becoming Gods: Medical Training in Mexican Hospitals Rutgers University Press.
Hannig, Anita (2017) Beyond Surgery: Injury, Healing, and Religion at an Ethiopian Hospital. University of Chicago Press.
All additional required materials are available online via our class Canvas website homepage, or in some cases, through the "Library Resources" link on the left sidebar (the location of the reading will be indicated on the Canvas homepage).
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
No Freshmen
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Freshmen may not register for this course.