INDIA

The Central Themes in the Global Health and Healing Traditions courses are:

1. The history of human health in relation to human life and sustainability of all life.
2. An intimate view of complex healing systems.
3. Indigenous and traditional healing.
4. Study of the way in which local, national and international organizations view public health and societal obligation to promote health.
5. Perspectives on the role of the individual in maintaining health.
6. Examination of healing practices across cultures.
7. Integrative and complimentary medicine

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Global Health and Healing Traditions program in India will introduce students to South Asian concepts of health, healing and well-being. These concepts are part of an ancient tradition that divides the world into male and female elements with the feminine being the embodiment of creation thus the center of all healing, spiritual and physical. Central to this conceptual framework is the deep-rooted connections between the Self, the Earth and its beings in the Universe. The health of one of these entities is closely related to and influenced by the health of others. Students will seek to redefine healing as a restoration of relationship between beings and the earth rather than solely in terms of curing disease. From within this framework, students will explore the basic philosophies of major complex, indigenous and folk healing traditions. Students will also look at the ways in which healthcare is distributed in the community and ways which organizations promote and advocate for health care for vulnerable groups in society such as women and children. Students will learn through organized seminars, lectures by guest speakers, field trips, applied activities and independent projects.

PROGRAM GOALS

• To understand the philosophical concepts that create connecting themes across South Asian healing traditions.
• To learn about the major complex healing traditions such as Aryuveda, Siddha, and Unani.
• To study first hand the adivasi (tribal) and folk healing traditions.
• To examine local delivery systems of health care and learn about the role of health advocacy groups.
• To learn about the social, historical and cultural realities of South Asia and to look at health and healing from within this broad context.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The curriculum of the program in India is built around the following core courses:

• South Asian Healing Traditions
• Adivasi and Folk Healing Traditions
• Advocacy and Public Health Seminar
• Yoga
• South Asian Studies Seminar
• Hindi Language Training
• Field Projects and Independent Studies

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SOUTH ASIAN HEALING TRADITIONS
(3 credits)
This seminar explores the major healing traditions of South Asia and their relevance in current times. Students will study the theoretical aspects of Aryuveda and other complex systems like Siddha and Unani. Students learn through study with healing practitioners and experts in formal and informal settings. The interconnectedness of all things- the sentient and the non sentient, is emphasized along with the need to live in a state of dynamic symbiosis.

ADIVASI AND FOLK HEALING TRADTIONS
(3 credits)
Adivasi (tribal) and folk health traditions are set against formalized traditional systems. Students will learn to recognize common herbs and learn the use of herbs to combat common maladies. Connections with nature and the environment will form a strong part of the Adivasi segment where a major part of the course will be carried out in the countryside working with folk and tribal healers.

ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(3 credits)
Students will experience and observe first hand the work of NGO and governmental contributions in the field of Public Health. Human Rights questions with respect to critical issues such as: the right to health of girl children and women and reproductive health and nutrition will be discussed. Field work and observations will take place in both rural and urban settings.

BASIC YOGA
(3 credits)
This course covers the four main streams of Yoga philosophy with focuses on both spiritual and practical aspects. Yoga is at the foundation of knowledge for students who plan to focus on holistic and traditional health systems in South Asia.

ADVANCED YOGA
(3 credits)
This advanced course explores the philosophy and practice of Raja yoga and Jnanayoga. It also includes study of the Sankya yoga philosophy, and advanced meditative and relaxation techniques.

SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES SEMINAR
(6 Credits)
This course covers basic aspects of life and culture in South Asia, integral to an understanding of the region. Studies are divided thematically, and students may choose to focus on a specific theme. For example, students may focus on the human right to health during the Human Rights theme week, or a project focusing on medicinal plants during the Environment theme week.

HINDI LANGUAGE TRAINING
(3 credits)
This course focuses on three dimensions of the national language of India: the syntactic, phonological, and morphological patterns. The object of this course is to present the learner with material which is linguistically and culturally authentic.

MEDITATION AND SELF-HEALING TECHNIQUES -
VISPASSANA, REIKI & PRANIK HEALING
(3 credits)
Students are introduced to Asian meditative practices. Students will observe for themselves the effects of such holistic health practices on their own health and also interact with alternative lifestyle communities.

Sample Two-Semester Learning Plan:

Fall Semester

ON-LINE COURSES

Students enrolled in the Global Health and Healing Traditions program in either India or Costa Rica can enhance their studies with these on-line courses offered in alternate years.

ON-LINE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HEALING AND CULTURE: An Introduction to the Study of Traditional Alternative Medicine
(3 credits)
Students will examine health systems in several cultures from the perspective of illness and healing in social, spiritual and economic context. Students will gain a framework and learn social science methods for studying medical practices. In addition to the required texts, students will have the opportunity to focus on their particular area of interest and work in small groups.

AN INTRODUCTION TO FIELDWORK IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND HEALING TRADITIONS
(3 credits)
This course is designed for students who are beginning fieldwork or intend to carry our fieldwork using qualitative research. Topics for discussion include: selecting a subject for research, preparation through bibliographic and on-line research, data collection, ethics and the ethnographic perspective. Students will learn interviewing techniques, cross-referencing information and participatory research.