Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/University of Pennsylvania/Medical Missionaries to Community Partners (Fall 2018)

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Global health is an often repeated goal for motivated individuals, modern leaders of countries, and non-governmental organizations. Despite its modernity, this goal has been elusive for more than 100 years and despite scientific advancement. Critics highlight language of a new imperialism through aid programs, exoticizing through medical tourism, and the reification of traditional social hierarchies. We will examine the evolution over time and place of people and programs to improve health of “underserved” populations globally. Traditionally categorized as public health and efforts to achieve a just society, we will examine past programs and conceptualize future partnerships on both a local and international stage. Students should expect to question broadly held beliefs about perceived good and service. Ultimately we will examine the concept of partnership as shared ownership, control, and goals between outside expert and inside community member. Students will be expected to develop and publish online a historical article regarding a medical missionary, global health scientist, or concept in missionary medicine. At the end of the course, students should conceptualize health and medical scientists through history, anthropology, global politics, and biomedicine.