Healing, Religion, and Politics in Africa and the African Diaspora

How we define health, illness, and the body is deeply shaped by history, culture, and power. To truly understand global health today, we must look beyond Western biomedicine and explore the rich healing traditions of Africa and the African diaspora. This text-only course guides you through the complex intersections of colonial history, spiritual practices, and modern medical politics. You will develop a critical framework for analyzing how Afro-Atlantic religious traditions offer powerful alternative understandings of well-being, morality, and community. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational concepts of medical anthropology, embodiment, and postcolonial theory. - Analyze the historical clashes between Western biomedical systems and traditional African healing practices. - Examine how Afro-Atlantic religious traditions conceptualize illness, recovery, and the human body. - Explore the political dimensions of global health interventions and their relationship to colonial legacies. - Evaluate modern discussions around health equity, cultural competency, and pluralistic medical systems. The course begins with key terminology and historical context, establishing a firm foundation before moving into deep readings of ethnographic case studies and contemporary global health dynamics. This introductory course is designed for beginners, healthcare students, and cultural enthusiasts who want to broaden their perspective on medicine and society, with no prior background required. Start reading today to expand your understanding of global healing and medical politics.