Topic outline

  • Course Description

    This course explores some of the key questions that anthropologists have debated: what it is to be human, the nature of human interaction with other humans and with other species, and the different ways that people perceive the world and act within it. Themes that will be discussed in this course include species difference, race, and place and community. These topics will be focused on in relation to medical issues, such as zoonotic disease, the role of race and ethnicity in medical outcomes and the ideas surrounding new reproductive technologies.

    Course Coordinator Dr Andrew Whitehouse

     a.whitehouse@abdn.ac.uk

    • What will the timetable look like?

      lecture 1hr twice a week
      tutorial 1hr once a week
      total 3 hrs per week

      • How will I be assessed?

        Essay (1500words) 40%

        Debate Project (2000words) 60%

        This is an individual project that builds on the presentation given in class. The project involves presenting a case for or against the motion, scrutinising and responding to counter-arguments, and giving a final overview and reflection.


        • What did previous students think of the course?

          "The staff, particularly the course coordinator, were always available to answer questions, and gave very prompt responses to emails/blackboard messages. [The tutor] was very helpful, and eased us in nicely to the ways of social sciences, and gave us good detailed advice and guidance for assessments."

           

          "The lectures were very engaging, and I really enjoyed the debate tutorials."

           

          "The course I feel really pushed me academically in a good way. It really enlightened me to the complexity of anthropological debates, and kind of mirrors some of the uncertainty that we also face in medicine. I liked that we had the option do more medicine-focused anthropology questions, which I feel will really benefit our future careers."

          • Useful links