AANB11058U Medical Anthropology, advanced course; Psychology in Anthropology

Volume 2014/2015
Content

Psychology has played a central role as inspiration to anthropological thinking in particularly to certain strands of medical anthropology. Both disciplines have their point of departure in the knowledge about humans as  emotional and cultural beings. In this course we operate in the borderlands between psychology and anthropology through addressing themes such as Psychoanalysis, Culture and Personality, Emotions, Crisis, Trauma, Dreams and Magic. The aim is to dwell on the fertility of combining these two different disciplines thereby strengthening students’ ability for cross-disciplinary work. Methodologically our approach centres on case work in the sense of trying out anthropological and psychological ways of thinking about empirical case material. Students are urged to think about such cases from their lives, literature and ethnography and bring them to the course.

Learning Outcome

Identify central anthropological questions in relation to psychology in anthropology

Critically and creatively analyze concepts and theories in relation to case material

Demonstrate knowledge about the role of psychology in anthropology

Write a well-structured essay, discussing the literature from the course in relation to a chosen case

BSc-, Credit-, Open Education and all international students: 500 pages obligatory literature.
MSc students: 500 pages obligatory literature + 200 pages of literature chosen by students

Literature chosen by students must be relevant to the course’s subject matter.

Course literature will be available in Absalon on the course website

This course is a specialized course; Erasmus/exchange- , credit- an Open University students who have completed a minimum 90 ECTS of anthropological subjects, including introduction to history of anthropological theory and methodology in Anthropology may also apply. Documentation is required.
Seminars, student presentations, case analysis
The course also serves as a part of the specialised track in the Anthropology of Health.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Exercises
  • 14
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 70
  • Seminar
  • 14
  • Study Groups
  • 20
  • Theory exercises
  • 42
  • Total
  • 210
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Essay.
Length: Min. 21.600 - max. 26.400 keystrokes for an individual essay. For group exams plus an additional min. 6.750 - max. 8.250 keystrokes per extra group member.

The essay assignments can be written individually or in groups of max. 4 people. Read more about the rules for group examinations in the
curriculum 4.3.1.

The examination essay must address a relevant topic from the course and must include literature from the course syllabus.
Exam registration requirements
It is a requirement that the student is present for at least 75% of the lectures as part of their exam for the course. Lecturers will keep an attendance list.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome