Anthropological Perspectives on Women's Health

3 units

The principle goal of this course is to explore the health issues/risks women face around the world. In order to achieve this goal, we will take a life cycle approach beginning with the birth of female babies through adolescence, adulthood, and finally through the aging process. Our perspective will be biocultural, defined as the synergistic interaction between biology and culture. By comparing a diversity of health experiences across cultures, we can carefully examine the ways in which culture constructs perceptions of health and effective delivery of health care. Students will finish the term with a clearer understanding of the biology of life cycle changes, how health inequalities are generated and perpetuated, and how to make more informed decisions about their own health choices. Prerequisite: Anthro 160 or permission of instructor.