Madagascar: Traditional Medicine and Healthcare Systems (Summer)

Coursework

Prerequisites:
None, although students with a background in French will have many opportunities to use their French language skills.

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The Social and Political Dimensions of Health and the Healthcare Practice in Madagascar seminars are conducted in English and provide an introduction to the cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts of healthcare as well as healthcare practices in Madagascar. University professors and experts in relevant fields will teach the classes. Students will visit rural and urban allopathic healthcare centers, herbalist markets, schools of medicine, and medical research institutions as well as other historically, culturally, and thematically relevant sites.

Coursework in Malagasy provides students with the foundational and essential tools required for daily use. Students with a background in French will have many opportunities to apply their language skills in Antananarivo.

The following syllabi are either from a recent session of this program or for an upcoming session. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.

Social and Political Dimensions of Health - syllabus (PDF)
(IPBH 3000 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
This course provides an introduction to the cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts of healthcare in Madagascar, allowing students to understand Malagasy cultural assumptions and practices as they relate to healthcare. The course will also explore the role of post-colonial and contemporary Malagasy politics as applied to healthcare policy and delivery, and introduce students to major economic activities in the formal and informal sectors as they relate to healthcare and access to health systems.

Healthcare Practice in Madagascar - syllabus (PDF)
(IPBH 3500 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
This course is an examination of healthcare practices in urban and rural settings to understand traditional and allopathic healthcare approaches. Students will explore ethical issues in healthcare delivery and the roles of healthcare delivery professionals and informal healthcare practice in overall healthcare issues in the different systems.

Intensive Language Study: Malagasy - syllabus (PDF)
(MALA 1000 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
Emphasis on beginning speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field-based instruction. In addition to a focus on oral proficiency, the course integrates the program theme of traditional medicine and healthcare systems with Malagasy language learning. Formal instruction is augmented by language practice with host families during homestays.

Credits: 9

Duration: 7 weeks

Program Base: Antananarivo

Language Study: Malagasy

Prerequisites: None, although students with a background in French will have many opportunities to use their French language skills. Read more...