Anthropology 216RE - Special Topics in Anthropology: 'Anthropology of Reproduction'

This course focuses on the biological and cultural components of reproduction and childbirth through cross-cultural perspectives. We explore the birth process across geographies, historical trends, and recent dialogues surrounding the technocratic model of birth, to understand the changing focus of birth as a medical condition. Indigenous birthing customs and beliefs from several different cultural contexts will be considered, as well as the contemporary rates of maternal mortality facing some today. We will also investigate how access to different types of maternal, fetal, and reproductive care is politicized across different times and places.

Prereq: ANTHR-105.