Health and Development

This subject is not offered in 2011.

This subject examines the relationship between health and political economic development in the world system, particularly in developing countries. It draws upon medical anthropology and health sociology in addressing issues such as the social origins of disease and suffering and health-related problems associated with development and underdevelopment, including AIDS and other infectious diseases, global climate change, and access to health care, both in terms of national health care systems and a medical pluralism. It examines the impact of various international organizations, such as the UN, WHO, World Bank, the WTO, and the pharmaceutical industry as well that of grass-roots groups, such as NGOs, health movements, and traditional healers upon global health conditions. Finally, the subject considers social structural and socio-cultural changes that would be needed to create an equitable and healthy world system.

Students who successfully complete this subject should

• Understand the impact of political-economic development upon health and health care delivery within both developed and developing societies and various social classes, ethnic minorities, genders, and other groupings within these societies.
• Understand the nature of strategies emanating from both the macro-level, such as the WHO, the World Bank, and governments, and the micro-level, such as NGOs, health movements, and traditional healers to address health problems and provide access to health care.
• Present reasoned and well-supported arguments concerning particular issues of contemporary significance relating to health within the world system.
• Critically analyse the relationship between health and development from a range of sources in written assignments, while also developing skills in writing, critical analysis, research, and the use of library and internet for information retrieval.

A 2000 word paper worth 40% (due at end of week 6), a 2500 word research paper 50% (due one week after the end of week 12), and two 250-word abstracts of two assigned readings to be discussed in class 10%.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

There are no prescribed texts but please see recommended text below.

MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE WORLD SYSTEM (Praeger 2 nd edition, 2003) by Hans Baer, Merrill Singer, and Ida Susser.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should

• be able to engage in independent research for essay preparation using a variety of media..
• exercise critical judgment in written assignments and group discussion.
• acquire research skills.