This course examines the history of traditional medicines, the popular attitudes toward them, and the politics of healing after the emergence of modern medicine in the Americas. Students will observe how different healing traditions propose different ways to understand the world and will learn to situate the history of traditional and complementary medicine within larger fields of inquiry such as the history of medical sciences in the Americas, migration, and cultural history. Additionally, students will read about contemporary issues and debates surrounding traditional medicine such as health autonomy, health disparities, medical pluralism, and globalization. The class readings will include topics such as indigenous medicine, curanderismo, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and santería.
Download Material
- Conquest/Early Colonial
- Late colonial/Independence Era
- Nineteenth Century
- Twentieth Century
- Twenty-First Century/Contemporary