Major Spotlight: Medical Anthropology
As a student interested in a career as a physician, I was always told I needed to be a STEM major. In high school, I loved learning about human physiology in biology class and exciting reactions in chemistry, but I found myself searching for something more interdisciplinary. I wanted human stories and experiences to be more directly integrated into the classroom, and medical anthropology was the perfect choice for me to bridge the gap between disciplines!
What is medical anthropology? (aka the question my family asks me every time I’m home…)
Medical anthropology (or med anthro for short) is a humanities-based approach to health and medicine. Med anthro classes at Barnard and Columbia, in various ways and topics, study how health and illness are shaped, experienced, and understood in the context of cultural, historical, and political forces. For example, how do we begin to define “health,” “disease,” or “illness”? What do these definitions include and exclude, and why? What factors impact our understanding of these terms? How do these definitions shape our world? These questions may seem simple at first, but the further you analyze, the more ambiguous everything becomes. I think this sociocultural context is what makes med anthro so crucial in terms of understanding medicine.
How is the department at Barnard?
The anthropology department in general is relatively small, which has really allowed me to establish stronger relationships within the department. Not only are there a plethora of classes that could apply to the major, but you also have the chance to take a few classes with the same professor and/or fellow students. In my experience, this gives you plenty of opportunity to get to know other anthro majors and build connections with your professors and advisors.
What types of classes do you take? Are they all at Barnard?
As I mentioned before, this is an entirely humanities-based major. Consequently, most of the med anthro classes will be predominantly reading heavy, and essays will be the main form of grading. I think this is the perfect balance to my STEM courses, but it's a personal preference if you will enjoy reading/writing this much.
In terms of classes, I’ve had SUCH a wonderful experience so far. I spent most of my first year and a half taking the introductory level courses, which build a foundational understanding of anthropology as a discipline and consider its discriminatory historical context. All anthropology majors then move on to take a standard theory course that discusses the emergence and trajectory of modern anthropological theory (I took this my junior fall!). Outside of those courses, med anthro majors are required to take a handful of upper-level electives that demonstrate a clear focus in fields central to medical anthropology. While I took a few electives my sophomore and junior year, I’m now completely taking these upper level courses as a senior. Finally, the anthropology department currently requires that all anthro majors work on a senior thesis (an essay of substantial length and scholarly depth) to culminate their studies. My senior thesis is investigating how queer individuals located in Alabama navigate their health and healthcare. Specifically, I am working to understand how queerness and LGBTQ+ identities interact with cisheteronormativity (and social systems of normativity) within healthcare spaces in the state of Alabama.
Because both Barnard and Columbia have anthropology departments, we have the opportunity to take classes on both campuses. Aside from the Barnard department’s anthropological theory course, there are plenty of electives to choose from that can fulfill the med anthro requirements. I’ve really enjoyed the flexibility of choice.
What have been your favorite classes?
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of my favorite electives I’ve taken / are taking right now:
“Politics of Care” — a seminar class that complexified the meaning and practice of care.
“Disability” — a seminar class that interrogated various understandings of disability.
“Body and Society” — a seminar class that discussed the different ways that "bodies" are viewed and treated in medicine and analyzed the relationships and interactions between the provider and patient, as well as the patient to themself (an “intro” of sorts to med anthro).
“Medical Sociology” –– a sociology lecture that examined the social structure and institutions of health and healthcare (transformed one of my close friends from a STEM-only, I-hate-essays person to a humanities lover).
And pro tip— check out the Barnumbia course directory to see what classes are being offered each semester.
Are there opportunities to do research?
Yes! Research for anthro majors can vary, but it depends on what you’re interested in. Some med anthro majors have done archeological work, others have helped with the projects of their professor. Barnard students can also apply to be a Laidlaw Scholar for additional support with more interdisciplinary academic research. Even further, it’s worth noting that our senior thesis involves doing research as well (such ethnography, archival work, and/or interviews). For example, my senior thesis consists primarily of virtual interviews! The anthropology department also offers a few opportunities for merit-based grants and fellowships to help cover the costs of research.
What can I do with a med anthro degree? (#1 most-asked question from strangers)
My personal plan is to apply to medical school after I graduate from Barnard. It’s important to remember that med anthro (humanities) does not overlap with the pre-med prerequisite courses (primarily STEM). As a result, more logistical planning is needed to ensure you’re meeting both requirements, so I occasionally feel like I’m balancing two separate majors despite only having one. For more information about specific pre-med prerequisites, check out the website of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Despite the extra effort, I really enjoy the freedom to do both, and I believe that studying med anthro has provided me with a more well-rounded perspective on medicine.
That said, not everyone is interested in medical school. Quite frankly, the skills you learn from anthropology can easily be translated into other fields, so the options are endless. Some of my fellow med anthro majors are looking to go to graduate school, while others want to go into education. Another plans to pursue a career in public health, while someone else wants to be a medical scientist/researcher. At the end of the day, the knowledge and tools you gain from a med anthro degree can certainly be applied to whichever field you are interested in.
How did you pick med anthro?
I didn’t know what medical anthropology was until after I was accepted into Barnard. I remember deep diving into Barnard’s website, and I found the anthropology department soon after. For me, medical anthropology is the perfect complement to my interests in medicine and STEM. It allows me the freedom to explore beyond the pre-med prerequisites and develop a more holistic education and perspective on health and wellness.
While some people make rigid plans for their collegiate academic studies, I encourage you to remain open to new opportunities or possibilities. Sometimes the best plans arise when and where you least expect them!
Learn more about medical anthropology and the anthropology department here.