Anthropological perspective on care (KSK_283)
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to provide knowledge and create an understanding of care from an anthropological point of view, looking at and analyzing care in the context of kinship, political economy, social security, and global public health.
Prerequisites
Ability to read academic texts in English. Preferred prior knowledge in medical anthropology, medical sociology, or public health.
Learning outcomes
Students understand the versatility of care, as well as its potential moral ambiguity, both in the context of state-provided social and health care and in caring for each other within a family or community. Students understand the relationship and role of care in shaping society and how care is influenced and formed by global and local political economy, political regimes, cultural values, understanding of kinship, global migration and (global) public health policies.
Students are trained to analyse the social, emotional, moral and political elements of care, as well as to evaluate care beyond usual dichotomies as “good/bad”, “public/private”, etc. Students can analytically read high-quality academic social science literature, which covers topics such as health, medicine, welfare, kinship and political economy. Students are capable to express verbally and in writing a reasoned, example-based view of care issues.
Students can competently discuss the social, cultural, global political and economic processes that affect and shape care and the role of care in society. Students are competent to discuss the importance of care in public health and more broadly its role in the social organization.
