Health Care and Medicine

Introduction to Medical Anthropology (ANTH 238 601) takes central concepts in anthropology—culture, adaptation, human variation, belief, political economy, the body—and applies them to human health and illness. Medical Anthropology of Alcohol Use (ANTH 154 601) will use the Penn campus as a local case study to investigate alcohol use and create a proposal addressing alcohol-use education. The Sociology of Medicine (SOCI 275 601) covers the structure of the medical professions, the social organization of hospitals, social and cultural influences on doctor-patient communication, and bioethics.

Two levels of Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine (BIBB 320 601 and BIBB 321 601) put you in the emergency room, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of clinical research, from design and ethics to data collection and good clinical practices. Developmental Neurobiology (BIBB 350 601) focuses on the form, function, and pathology of the adult nervous system. Neurobiological Basis of Autism (BIBB 430 601) covers the signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as the neurobiological changes specific to the brains of autistic children. Neurodegenerative Diseases (BIBB 475 601) covers a wide range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more. Clinical Psychopharmacology (BIBB 482 601) looks at neurobiological processes underlying psychopathology and pharmacological intervention.

The Health and Society department fields an Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (HSOC 259 601), an examination of chiropractic, massage, Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique and other related bodywork forms; herbal medicine; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ayurvedic Medicine and yoga; mind-body modalities; spirituality and health; shamanism; homeopathy; energy medicine; and integrated medicine.

• Current Student - Register Now
• Prospective Student - Apply
• Need More Information? - View Course Guides or Request Info