History 402
Chinese Medicine, Past and Present

Dr. Yi-Li Wu

208 Robinson Hall
E-mail: ywu@albion.edu

What is "traditional Chinese medicine"? What factors influenced its development over time and what factors shape the traditional practice of medicine in Chinese societies today? "Chinese Medicine, past and present" will explore these and other questions by investigating the history of illness and healing in China from ancient to modern times.

Students will become familiar with the fundamental concepts of classical Chinese medicine while investigating the rich diversity of healing practices in China. The course will also require students to grapple with a number of issues that are fundamental to the history of medicine in general. How do political, social, and economic institutions influence the development of the medical profession? How do interactions between patients and practitioners shape medical knowledge and customs? What is the relationship between popular/folk medicine and elite classical medicine? And how do cultural perceptions affect judgments about medical efficacy?

 The course will be run as a reading and discussion seminar. Readings will combine recent scholarship by historians and anthropologists as well as primary Chinese medical texts in translation. Course requirements include weekly journals, active participation in class discussion, and short papers.

 There is no prerequisite for this course.