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2025-2026 / SANT4023-1

Multiculturalism and health

Duration

15h Th, 5h AUTR

Number of credits

 Master in public health, professional focus ERASMUS MUNDUS Europubhealth+2 crédits 
 Master in Public Health, professional focus on specialist practitioners in public health2 crédits 

Lecturer

Oriane Bodson

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Contemporary challenges in health, healthcare, and the management of related issues are characterized by the need to consider increasingly diverse populations. This diversity is expressed at multiple levels: cultural, social, generational, gender-related, as well as in terms of origin or status. It results not only from migratory movements but also from a broader process of visibility and recognition of multiple individual and collective positions and affiliations.

This heterogeneity complicates the meanings attributed to health-related issues and the practices that stem from them, requiring healthcare professionals to equip themselves with tools to identify this diversity and respond appropriately to the challenges it raises.

Within this framework, the course is structured around the following educational objectives:

  • Situate and deconstruct one's biomedical knowledge: Understand the limits and assumptions of modern and contemporary Western biomedicine, and put the resulting scientific and professional stance into perspective.

  • Recognize and analyze different ways of approaching health and illness: Identify cultural and social variations in perceptions of the body, health, and healthcare practices, and develop a critical capacity regarding these differences.

  • Study concrete cases : Explore empirical examples from various projects and research, and reflect on the implications of interculturality in health initiatives.
The course content will be based on a body of literature and an interdisciplinary methodological approach combining philosophy of science, medical anthropology, socio-anthropology of migration, and intersectional perspectives. It will be further enriched by contributions from external speakers presenting their research and professional practices.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course aims to develop with students the theoretical and methodological tools to understand health issues as complex questions in which socio-cultural and other issues are crucial. The overall objective is to raise students' awareness of socio-cultural diversity and equip them to deal with it appropriately in their future professional practice.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Prior knowledge of certain socio-anthropological concepts is an advantage but not essential, given the introductory nature of this course and the specific topic covered. A knowledge of written English is necessary for the reading of English texts. The bibliography will nevertheless be adapted according to the students' language skills.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will consist of five 3-hour classroom lessons. The practical work expected from the student (5h) will be organised in groups, according to the themes and methodologies discussed in class.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face; compulsory readings and active participation in class; practical activity. Students who are unable to attend the course, especially for work reasons, are requested to contact the teacher. If the number of students enrolled is less than 10, the course can be organised differently.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Readings will be indicated during the course and available via MyULiège. Some of these readings are compulsory and necessary for class discussions.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Each student will produce a written assignment that includes, on the one hand, a presentation of the theoretical and methodological elements discussed in class (as an introduction), and on the other hand, an in-depth analysis of a critical situation (different from the one presented by their working group), supported by scientific literature.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course takes place in the second semester.

Contacts

Oriane.Bodson@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs