Reflection
This course has been both fulfilling and at times very enjoyable. As a (hopefully) future drug researcher this class has shown me a wider scope of the world around me in a cultural context. Before taking this course the only approach I had ever really used in practice was the biological approach. This course has given me an opportunity to analyze issues from a completely different perspective. I found the ethnomedical approach the most interesting/helpful because it allows me to examine peoples actions and treatment choices from a cultural perspective. I also in a strange way had the concept of the importance of considering globalization reinforced within me. It was interesting throughout this course and this web page to see the way our country and culture reacted with others, to learn from them, to educate them, and occasionally to even attempt to change them. Globalization is a powerful force that both destroys and reinforces individual culture. The first video I've posted is a little intro to how important culture is and how culture relates directly to our lives. The video relates the concept that culture surrounds everything we do and culture is constantly changing. The video even goes to speak on how brands and companies relate to culture.
The image that I've uploaded is what I consider to be basically a really cool map of anthropology. It shows a wide variety of approaches seen in anthropology. I think this image is extremely relevant because after taking this course I realize that anthropology can be found in anything even remotely related to culture. When I say that I mean it's not just obvious cultural stuff, it's economics, business, warfare, the human condition, and so many more things. While I'm a huge fan of the ethnomedical approach after taking this course, I still find the Biological approach to be extremely valid and important possibly still what I consider to be the most useful. In relation to videos used in this course I found the frontline video to be so helpful and informative. I loved how they took so many perspectives from different countries and showed us what was working and what didn't' work. They reporting came across as extremely educated and concise. I can see where some students might find that type of approach a little on the dry side but for me it was pure knowledge bliss. I would watch that video on my own time even without this course. I also probably appreciated that video because it was so supportive of healthcare reform so maybe I was a little biased. I've included a citation to a bunch more frontline video options. Hopefully they post another one this year that can be used. I would describe the value of medical anthropology to someone by first asking them about their last medical experience and then explaining to them how medical anthropology played a major role somewhere in that process.
Bibliography
"Why is culture important?," YouTube Video, AddedValueGroup, March 8, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/w atch?v =D5-gU7VG3bg
"Image: Market Photo," Scotland Festival of History, http://www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk/Christmas/
"Frontline Video Homepage", PBS, July 30, 2013, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/
"Image: This is Anthropology," This Is Anthropology Website, 2012, http://www.thisisanthropology.org/ index.cfm
"Why is culture important?," YouTube Video, AddedValueGroup, March 8, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/w atch?v =D5-gU7VG3bg
"Image: Market Photo," Scotland Festival of History, http://www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk/Christmas/
"Frontline Video Homepage", PBS, July 30, 2013, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/
"Image: This is Anthropology," This Is Anthropology Website, 2012, http://www.thisisanthropology.org/ index.cfm