SPAN 1458 - PLANTS, SPIRITUALITY AND HEALING IN LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
The basic premise of this course is that literature and cultural expressions in general provide a robust articulation of imaginary, symbolic, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual aspects of health and healing. We will examine academic articles, essays, poems, narratives, films, videos and paintings that explore the relationship between plants, spirituality an healing as constructed by popular, indigenous and Afrodescendant traditions in Latin America. These expressions offer insightful approaches that contribute to an ongoing critical discussion concerning these topics. Given that our purpose is to address artistic and philosophical aspects that relate to peoples’ conceptions about spirituality, health and healing, which in-of-themselves constitute an essential part of any comprehensive approach to health in general, this course does not specifically address the empirical therapeutic value (of lack of ) of specific practices. Section I will discuss current global and national contexts of traditional medicine. Section II will provide an overview of significant issues in Latin American ethnobotany. Section III will analyze the fundamental metaphysics and ethics of Amerindian myth and ritual. Section IV will examine literary works and films that provide critical insights to contemporary philosophies of spirituality and healing, and, as the arts usually do, connect these insights to a sundry array of contemporary issues, opening up unexpected vistas. Geo-cultural matrices of examined works include indigenous and Afrodescendant societies in Mexico, Central America, the Andes, Amazonia, and he Caribbean (Haiti-Dominican Republic), as well as urban societies in Bolivia, Colombia, and Argentina.
Academic Career: Undergraduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: LG/SNC Elective Basis
Course Requirements: PREQ: SPAN 1250
Course Attributes: Undergraduate Research

Click here for class schedule information.

Add to Portfolio(opens a new window)