Anthropology 697EQ - ST-Inequal&Hlth:CritBiocultApp

Addressing the gap between rich and poor and other axes of inequality, and the way they shape human biology and health, is a major challenge for the 21st century. This class focuses on inequalities and health from a critical biocultural perspective, a perspective that includes structural violence, political ecology, eco-social, and other approaches that incorporate political economy, history, environment and biology into studies of human health. We begin with discussion on the development of a critical biocultural perspective and perspectives on poverty and inequality. The course will then use a series of case studies to explore how social inequalities along axes of race, class and gender shape biology and health and how health, in turn, contributes to poverty and inequality. We will explore how this takes place across the life-course and even generations. Topics for case studies may include: social and health impacts of income inequalities; psychosocial stress and related health issues; race, racism and health; political economy of epidemiological and nutritional transition; environmental disasters, degradation and environmental justice; armed conflicts and population displacement; violence, trauma and health; resilience and hope. Students will be provided the opportunity to suggest readings related to their own sub-discipline and research interests, and so there is some flexibility in choosing the final list of case studies.

This course is open to Graduate Students in Anthropology only Open to Anthropology Majors only. Others may seek instructor's permission to enroll.