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CULTURAL EPIDEMIOLOGY SHORT COURSE

This course introduces students to the emerging discipline of cultural epidemiology, defining what it is and how it might be undertaken.  It focuses on employing cultural theories, concepts and related methods to the health of populations and sub-populations.

The course will cover the following topics:

• the history of cultural epidemiology
• theoretical approaches
• main methodological issues
• discussion of Australian, New Zealand and European research examples
• current debates

The course aims to:

• Introduce students to the history of cultural epidemiology and where it sits in relation to social epidemiology, social medicine and medical anthropology
• Develop students' ability to synthesize primary concepts and approaches  (e.g. cultural determinants of health)
• Foster students' appraisal of how and when cultural epidemiology is most usefully employed (ie what disorders and issues cultural frameworks are applied to)
• Lead students to a firm grasp of cultural epidemiological (mixed) methods.

This course will be taught by an eminent group of medical anthropologists, sociologists and epidemiologists.  Course instructors are: Sandy Gifford, Claude Fischler, Tony Blakely, Julie Park, Maggie Walter, Jill Guthrie, Jane Dixon, Cathy Banwell and Stanley Ulijaszek (tbc).

 

COURSE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Day 1:  History, theory and scope of cultural epidemiology

• Introduction to the subject matter and course details. Defining Cultural Epidemiology
• Panel Discussion
  How is cultural epidemiology different from medical anthropology, social epidemiology, and sociology of health?  Has there been too much emphasis on the material determinants of disease risk patterns?

• Theory and history of cultural epidemiology
• Sub-population comparisons of cultural practices
• Panel discussion
  Global and cross-national dimensions of cultural epidemiology

Day 2:  Methodological approaches to cultural epidemiology 

• Socio-cultural studies leading to the development of epidemiological studies
• Post-hoc application of culture to provide explanations for epidemiological relationships
• Indigenous research
• How epidemiologists incorporate social-cultural factors into their studies
• Panel Discussion
  In Australia and New Zealand who are the research teams doing cultural epidemiology and what data sets and capacities are available?  What international links should we make?

The course is designed as:

a) a stand-alone two day introduction to the topics listed above. Students will exit with a Certificate of Attendance.

b) an elective in ANU’s MA in Culture, Health and Medicine. For these students, the two day intensive course on campus will be accompanied by additional online teaching via computer and internet. Online teaching methods may include podcasting, interactive tutorials, live chat and discussion fora.

All students will be expected to gain at the postgraduate level, skills in:

• interdisciplinary understandings 
• critical analysis of cultural epidemiology texts
• appropriate written and verbal expression
• evaluation of key methodological approaches.

Course participants are not required to have training in epidemiological methods.

There are 4 main audiences for the course:

1. Members of government and non-government organisations whose work is strengthened by a broad anthropological and sociological understanding of health.
2. Health professionals working in Australia and New Zealand who could attend a 2 day face-to-face course and participate further through internet facilitated options.
3. Recent graduates from Medicine who wish to extend their understanding of the anthropological and sociological contributions to health knowledge
4. International students, expatriates and those living in rural and regional Australia who have not yet had the opportunity to use flexible, online and blended modes of course design.

Co-convenors: Cathy Banwell & Jane Dixon