Medical Anthropology

Course Overview

The School of Anthropology at the University of Oxford is the oldest and one of the largest centres in Britain for research in biological, social and cultural anthropology and museum ethnography. It provides an ideal institutional setting for anthropological research that crosses disciplinary boundaries. The one-year M.Sc.degree in Medical Anthropology combines social and bio-anthropological approaches to the study of health and healing in diverse societies and cultures throughout the world. The two-year M. Phil degree consolidates the knowledge acquired in the first year through intensive training in anthropological and sociological methodology. The courses provide graduates from an interdisciplinary background with the necessary basis to go on to further research and teaching in anthropology, or into employment in a variety of areas, from work in medical institutions to non-government organisations and other healthcare-related careers. to provide a thorough grounding in the theory and methodology of Medical Anthropology, and an ability to apply this knowledge to particular research objectives; to prepare high-quality students for further research in the discipline and for employment in fields where sensitivity to cross-cultural variability is required; to teach all aspects of the course, building upon knowledge of recent significant advances in techniques, information and ideas which will have been acquired as part of the training within a general anthropological perspective; and an understanding of the role of medical anthropologists in society.

Program Outline