Mexican Traditional Medicine: An overview of Indigenous curing cultures MAS 435/535 Cross listed with AIS/LAS Monday 4-6:30 p.m Spring 2009 Educ 351 PROFESSOR: Dr Patrisia Gonzales OFFICE: Cesar Chavez 220 EMAIL: pgonza@email.arizona.edu PHONE: 6260408 OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday p.m to p.m or by appointment CREDITS: Units, offered for undergraduate or graduate credit COURSE DESCRIPTION: This interdisciplinary course is a survey of various popular and Indigenous medicinal systems that fall under the rubric known as Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) Mexican scholar Carlos Viesca Treviño defines MTM as medicinal knowledge(s) that emanate from Mesoamerican world views and that have adapted to historical and social conditions throughout the Americas This course will explore various expressions of MTM, with a special emphasis on Indigenous medicinal approaches to healing that exemplify both continuities and adaptations We will compare across cultures some shared values in various Indigenous systems as well as how they are uniquely expressed in contemporary settings We will also draw from the local knowledge holders of Indigenous populations from this region to compare various approaches in traditional medicine This course will introduce students to the relationship between place, healing and cosmology in Indigenous-based cultures that maintain curing traditions and practices We will explore some of the theories, relationships and philosophies that are used in MTM –such as fluid and multiplying dualities, hot and cold, body-cosmos, plants and culture, food as medicine, susto-soul loss and principles of renewal as well as applied knowledge and practices that are useful for self care and community wellness For instance, students will learn 20 herbs and how to make teas, medicinal baths, poultices, pomades and syrups As a promotora of MTM and herbalist, Dr Gonzales will some demonstrations, as may other practitioners of Indigenous medicine COURSE GOALS: The objective of this course is to become familiar with some of MTM’s practices and ways of knowing We will explore how these healing systems are expressions of Indigenous Knowledge Students should gain a general health literacy surrounding MTM as well as general skills for self care In the latter portion of the course, students will learn applied knowledge for self care These practical applications are in keeping with Indigenous methods of learning that are embodied Through learning some basic practices, students should then understand how theoretical and philosophical foundations of MTM can be applied in their own lives Students will be able to identify various forms of cultural diagnosis based on MTM and critically assess the relationship between MTM and Indigenous ways of knowing Students will also gain a general understanding of how Indigenous medicine is a parallel expression of science based on cultural values and world views that are based relationships of reciprocity, interconnectedness, responsibility and renewal Graduate students will meet an additional five lectures and they will focus on developing research papers/knowledge documentation related to various topics on Indigenous medicine relevant to their interests In addition to readings on D2L, students will read the following texts: A People’s Ecology 1999 Gregory Cajete Clear Light Press Renewing America's Food Tradition Gary Nabhan University of Arizona Woman Who Glows in the Dark 2000 Elena Avila Tarcher/Putnam Native Science 2000 Gregory Cajete Clear Light Press They All Want Magic 2009 Elizabeth dela Portilla Texas A & M Press Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest 2006 Charles W, Kane Recommended reading for MAS 435 and REQUIRED FOR MAS 535: The Natural History of the Soul by Jill McKeever Furst Recommended for MAS 435 and 535: The World We Used to Live In 2006 Vine Deloria Jr Fulcrum Graduate Students will have additional readings posted on d2l based on their research interests Graduate students will be expected to the required readings and also read other materials relevant to their research topic ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Each student is expected to abide by the University of Arizona's Student Code of Academic Integrity Refer to http://studpubs.web.arizona.edu/policies/cacaint.htm for policies against plagiarism, etc Go to http://policy.web.arizona.edu/~policy/threaten.shtml to review policy against threatening behavior by students Additionally, all students are expected to attend class and contribute actively to the discussions in a respectful, thoughtful manner Students are responsible for respectfully engaging in discussions and course content based on their unique views of the world Please not arrive late to class Class participation and attendance are part of your final grade Points will be deducted for each unexcused absence, tardiness and early departure You may have one excused absence For instance, if you have a cold or the flu, just drop me an email before class I will my best to work with you if you have a family emergency Because we meet once a week comprising two lectures, absences will severely impede your successful completion of the course Two excused absences will lower your grade If you have three absences, I will drop you from class Bring your readings to class and turn off your cell phones STUDENT EVALUATION & COURSE REQUIREMENTS: MAS 435: Midterm paper: Students will complete a research paper related to their group project Team project, class presentation and research paper: Students will group into four to five theme areas MAS 435 students will focus on four projects and research, a paper and a project You will be assigned a graduate mentor and I will also guide your in these projects: The March El Rio health fair, where up to 15 students from MAS 435 will present herbal presentations on herbs from the kitchen, making tinctures, pomades and syrups; food as medicine Working on web content for Four Winds online project on American Indian medicine, with a particular focus on research and literature relevant to the Navajo people Creating a website for this class or short video using video from previous classes Creating a group project not listed here but that a group of students are interested in pursuing The applied projects might include: mapping local gardens; planning a garden with foods and herbs to combat diabetes; designing curriculum, a health promotions campaign or a community presentation that integrates some aspect of MTM; conducting oral histories surrounding medicinal practices; researching Internet sites as part of a literature review on a particular topic relevant to this course The research papers might address Curanderismo in literature (the figure of the curandera in novels or prose) or research the use of a particular plant in a particular Indigenous knowledge system; it may address Mesoamerican physiology, Indigenous categories of imbalance, such as susto, empacho, ect In addition to the class presentation, MAS 435 students will submit a collectively elaborated research paper on their topic (10 pages double spaced for undergraduates) Papers will be graded for content, as well as grammar and punctuation, and should adhere to academic style Book analysis of any of the books ordered for this course Your five-page analysis will be shared in peer discussion groups and submitted for a grade Short Writing Assignments In addition to informed and active class participation, students will be asked to provide a discussion question for thoughtful dialogue on some of the readings; lead discussions; outline key readings; and submit occasional two-page writing reflections on readings Pop Quizzes/short written reflections on readings will count toward class participation One of your assignments will involve tracking your dreams and following the moon cycle Dreams and the moon cycle are traditional forms of tracking knowledge and human experience in many ancient cultures Students will complete a take-home cumulative final exam of short answer/essay questions Examination material will be based on the course readings, lectures and presentations and the writing will equal 10 to 12 pages of essay answers Many of the exam questions will be designed by MAS 435 students Class trips: we will take a few class trips, such as to TYLO, Tucson Botanical Gardens GRADING: MAS 435 Class participation: 20% (This includes various short writing assignments and pop quizzes graded on pass-fail basis) Midterm research paper: 30% Group project and presentation: 10% Book analysis: 10 % Final Cumulative Take home exam 30% MAS 535 GRADUATE STUDENTS: Graduate students will not be required to complete the midterm paper or final exam Writing assignments: They are expected to submit writing assignments on d2l, in-class or other short two-page assignments that are scheduled and graded on pass-fail criteria (10 %); Research paper (15 to 20 pages) (50 %); Class presentation on their research (15%) Course participation: in class through discussions or leading discussions; participating in d2l discussions; and mentoring undergraduates in their group projects (25%) They also will meet as a group an additional five sessions to discuss their research and readings at a mutually convenient time They must submit a draft of their final paper by the last week in April I will provide feedback by the last day of class and then the final paper will be due May STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Please meet with me to discuss how the course requirements may impact your ability to fully participate If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the course requirements, you must register with a Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me official notification of your needs as soon as possible ... of your assignments will involve tracking your dreams and following the moon cycle Dreams and the moon cycle are traditional forms of tracking knowledge and human experience in many ancient cultures. .. grammar and punctuation, and should adhere to academic style Book analysis of any of the books ordered for this course Your five-page analysis will be shared in peer discussion groups and submitted... exam of short answer/essay questions Examination material will be based on the course readings, lectures and presentations and the writing will equal 10 to 12 pages of essay answers Many of the