Community Health in Tanzania

Anthropology

Location
Karagwe District

Description
This course is designed to provide students with cultural immersion in Tanzania and participation in a community health program. Students will research topics relevant to Tanzanian community health or social structure prior to departing on the trip. Students will also participate in a pre-trip project to raise funds and solicit supplies for the hospital and clinics where we will be working and we will deliver these supplies to the community as part of our trip. In country service will include the continued construction of a orphanage for children affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Reflection will be a key focus of this course with the aid of daily journal writing. This course has no pre-requisites, although a background in anthropology, African Studies, or the health professions would be very useful. More information.

Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Eastern Africa and a frequent destination for safaris due to its great natural beauty. Possible field trips may include a safari in the Serengeti Plain, a once in a lifetime opportunity. In addition to its natural beauty and wildlife (monkeys, elephants, zebras, lions, and giraffes to name a few), Tanzania possesses a marvelously diverse human population. Over 130 tribal groups live in Tanzania including the Maasai. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world with over 50% of the population below the poverty line.

We will travel to Tanzania to work with the community of Karagwe and the Nyakahanga Hospital which houses many important community health programs (WHO, UNICEF, and African AIDS Control Program). It services the Karagwe District of northwestern Tanzania (with a population of 400,000 people). It provides medical care for approximately 230 admitted patients and 200 outpatients a day.

Details

Instructor: Linda Winkler


Credits: 6

Service-Learning Abroad: June 14- July 7, 2004

Credits Awarded: Credits are awarded for this course through the University of Pittsburgh. This course fulfills Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 1737) for 3 credits and Anthropology Independent Study (ANTH 1901) for 3 credits.