Universität Wien

240517 SE MM3 The Anthropology of Tibetan Medicine (2024W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Anwesenheitspflicht in der ersten Einheit!

Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Plagiierte oder erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis). Es kommt die Plagiatssoftware Turnitin zum Einsatz.

Die Verwendung von KI-Tools (z. B. ChatGPT) zur Erbringung von Teilleistungen ist nur dann erlaubt, wenn dies von der Lehrveranstaltungsleitung ausdrücklich gefordert wird.
Moodle
We 08.01. 09:45-11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Due to conferences, no seminars on October 30 and November 20.

  • Wednesday 02.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 09.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 16.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 23.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 06.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 13.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 27.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 04.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 11.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 15.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 22.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 29.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Tibetan medicine, also known as "Sowa Rigpa" (Tib: the science of healing), counts as one of Asia's four "great" medical traditions, next to TCM, Ayurveda, and Unani. Over the past decade, Vienna has developed into an international hotspot for anthropological research on Tibetan medicine, and contributed to theoretical and methodological innovation in the field of Asian medicines more generally.
In this MA seminar, we will read and discuss a representative selection of the most important anthropological (and related) texts on Tibetan medicine. The approach is decidedly not ethno-medical but medical anthropological, i.e. this seminar is not about studying the theory and practice of Tibetan medicine as an instance of "traditional culture", but to acquire a realistic understanding of its contemporary role and development in the context of Asia and the larger themes of anthropology. Thus, the anthropology of Tibetan medicine enables a unique and innovative approach not only to Tibet and the medical anthropology of large parts of Asia (Tibet, China, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, Buryatia), but also to broader topics like nationalism, Global Health, postcolonial theory, STS, global assemblages, cultural heritage and property, exile, biodiversity, and capitalist transformations.
Aims of this seminar:
1) To develop a good understanding of Tibetan medicine, its history and recent/contemporary development
2) To acquire an overview of anthropological research on Tibetan medicine, as well as its different topics and perspectives
3) To gain the ability to conduct independent critical research on Tibetan medicine

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular seminar attendance, reading of the literature, active participation in seminar discussions, and presentations are all considered for the final grade. Furthermore, at the end of the semester a short seminar paper (4000 words max) needs to be submitted. Students have the choice between several topics, or can choose their own topic after discussing it with the instructor.
All texts on the literature list as well as relevant other academic texts can be used. Using AI to write the final paper is not permitted (and easily detected given the specialized topic of this seminar).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimum requirements for positive grade: participation in at least 2/3 of all seminars, positive seminar paper

Very good (1): reliable presence and active participation, reading of 100% of mandatory literature, very good presentation(s), very good seminar paper
Good (2): regular presence and active participation, reliable reading of mandatory literature, good presentation(s), good seminar paper
Satisfactory (3): regular presence, mostly read mandatory literature, at least one satisfactory presentation, satisfactory seminar paper
Sufficient (4): presence in 2/3 of seminar, read more than half of mandatory literature, sufficient seminar paper
Fail (5): less than 2/3 presence, insufficient reading of mandatory literature, insufficient or no seminar paper, or seminar paper written with help of AI

Examination topics

Requirements are the mandatory literature as well as the contents of seminar discussions.

Reading list

A detailed reading list will be provided and discussed during the first seminar unit. All texts will be available as PDFs on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 25.09.2024 17:06