SYLLABUS
CULTURE AND AIDS
ANT 317.01
Tuesdays 6:00-9:15 P.M. Spring 2002
Dr. Douglas A. Feldman
Professor and Chair
SUNY College at Brockport
Department of Anthropology
dfeldman@brockport.edu
(585) 395-5709
Course Description:
Explores the cultural, social, epidemiologic, political, psychological, philosophical, economic, public health, and public policy dimensions of HIV/AIDS on a global level, especially in the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. Focuses upon women and children with AIDS, men who have sex with men and other at-risk populations, HIV prevention strategies, theoretical issues, social stigma and discrimination, the influence of the pandemic on other aspects of society and culture, and the meaning and importance of HIV/AIDS.
Required Texts:
Feldman, Douglas A. and Wang Miller, Julia (eds.) (1998)
The AIDS Crisis: A Documentary History. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Feldman, Douglas A. (ed.) (1994)
Global AIDS Policy. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey.
Additional reading packet (to be distributed).
Course Topics:
Introduction to AIDS as a cultural and public health issue. The importance of AIDS. The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the United States. The AIDS crisis. The origin of HIV/AIDS. An epidemic emerges. The shaping of public opinion. The situation in the United States. The global crisis. The epidemic takes its toll. Teenagers. Women. Children. The gay community. Commercial sex workers. The homeless. Persons with hemophilia. Injecting drug users. Correctional facilities. The African pandemic. The growing crisis in Asia. AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean. China. Latin America. Traditional medicine. Uganda.
Ghana. South Africa. Breast feeding. The many faces of AIDS. Psychosocial needs of persons with AIDS. The role of families, partners, and friends of people with AIDS. The role of health care providers and caregivers. Community responses to the crisis. Political apathy. Political activism. Immigration policy. Political economy. Promoting awareness and education. Producing behavioral change. Barebacking. Gay politics. Patient adherence. Risky and less risky sex. Club drugs. AIDS in the workplace. Legal issues. Ethics and AIDS policy. Mandatory reporting. Mandatory testing. Partner notification. The future of AIDS.
Reading Schedule:
January 29 – Introduction to Culture and AIDS course.
February 5 - Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, “Introduction,” in The AIDS Crisis: A Documentary History (TAC) (Eds.: D.A. Feldman and J. Wang Miller); pp. xxv-xxxix, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 1, “The History of
HIV/AIDS,” in TAC; pp.1-29.
Masautso Chipako, “Monkeys the origin of AIDS?,” Times of Zambia, p.8, October 10, 1998.
David M. Hillis, “Origins of HIV,” Science, 288”1757, 1759, June 9, 2000.
Gina Kolata, “The Genesis of an Epidemic: Humans, Chimps and a Virus,” New York Times, September 4, 2001.
Garret, “HIV Subtypes: African, Asian Strains Cropping Up in New York City,” Newsday, January 31, 2001.
February 12 - Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 2, “The Impact of the Epidemic,” in TAC; pp.30-53.
Jennifer Steinhauer, “AIDS Altered the Fabric of New York in Ways Subtle and Vast,” New York Times, June 4, 2001.
Patricia J. Mays, “Unsafe Sex May Be Increasing,” The Associated Press.
Susan Jordan, “HIV Infection No Longer in Decline,” The Empty Closet (Rochester), pp.1,3,11, September 2001.
“AIDS Carriers Banned From Swimming in Ocean...because they’re killing the sharks!,” Weekly World News, p.6, August 24, 1993.
February 19 - Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 3, “HIV/AIDS Within Communities and Populations,” in TAC; pp. 54-116.
February 26 - Robert G. Carlson, et al., “Ethnography, Epidemiology, and Public Policy: Needle-Use Practices and HIV-1 Risk Reduction Among Injecting Drug Users in the Midwest,” in GAP; pp. 185-214.
Michael C. Clatts, et al., “AIDS Risk Behavior among Drug Injectors in New York City: Critical Gaps in Prevention Policy,” in GAP; pp. 215-235.
March 5 - STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT PRE-APPROVED PAPER TOPIC.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 4, “AIDS in the Developing World,” in TAC; pp. 117-134.
Douglas A. Feldman, “Introduction,” in Global AIDS Policy (GAP) (ed.: D.A. Feldman); pp. 1-6, Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1994.
Jean H. Lee, “UN Study: World to Be Older, Poorer,” The Associated Press.
Vincent E. Gil, “Behind the Wall of China: AIDS Profile, AIDS Policy,” in GAP; pp. 7-27.
Pomfret, “Washington Post Examines Blood Trade in China,” “Sex Trade,” Washington Post, January 11, 2001.
Lakhan, “Pacific Rim: Sees Growing HIV/AIDS Epidemic,” Agence France Presse, February 23, 1999.
Richard G. Parker, “Public Policy, Political Activism, and AIDS in Brazil,” in GAP; pp.28-46.
March 12 – MIDTERM EXAM.
Pamela Hartigan, “The Response of Nongovernmental Organizations in Latin America to HIV Infection and AIDS: A Vehicle for Grasping the Contribution NGOs Make to Health and Development,” in GAP; pp.47-60.
Deibert, “Political Quagmire Holds Up Foreign Aid Needed to Fight HIV/AIDS in Haiti,” Reuters/South Florida Sun-Sentinel, January 23, 2002.
March 19 – No classes.
March 26 - Charles B. Rwabukwali, et al. “Culture, Sexual Behavior, and Attitudes toward Condom Use among Baganda Women,” in GAP; pp. 70-89.
Robert W. Porter, “AIDS in Ghana: Priorities and Policies,” in GAP; pp.90-106.
“African Growth Barely Matches Population Rise - AfDB,” Reuters, May 29, 2001.
Harry Dunphy, “Study: AIDS Devastating Africa,” The Associated Press, October 31, 2000.
“To Curb AIDS, King Orders Celibacy,” Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester), September 30, 2001.
Mark Schoofs, “AIDS: the Agony of Africa - Part One: The Virus Creates a Generation of Orphans,” The Village Voice, November 3-9, 1999.
April 2 - Paul Busharizi, “Ugandan President Orders Arrest of Gays - Newspaper,” Reuters, September 28, 1999.
“Ng’angas Cash-in on AIDS Victims,” The Post (Zambia), November 19, 1998.
Edward C. Green, “The Male Circumcision and AIDS Issue,” Lancet, 35 (9207), p. 927, March 11, 2000.
“Radio, Sporting Events and Adult Cinemas Used for AIDS Education Efforts in Africa,” Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, January 24, 2002.
Virginia van der Vliet, “Apartheid and the Politics of AIDS,” in GAP; pp.107-129.
Dana Raphael, “The Politics of International Health: Breastfeeding and HIV,” in GAP; pp.129-141.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 5, “The Human Side of AIDS,” in TAC, pp. 135-158.
April 9 - ALL PAPERS DUE.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 6, “The Politics of AIDS,” in TAC, pp. 159-182.
Norris G. Lang, “HIV, Immigration Policy, and Latinos/as: Public Health Safety versus Hidden Agendas,” in GAP, pp. 61-69.
Michael D. Quam, “AIDS Policy and the United State Political Economy,” in GAP, pp. 142-159.
April 16 - M.E. Melody, “Acting Up Academically: AIDS and the Politics of Disempowerment,” in GAP, pp. 160-184.
Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 7, “Education and Behavioral Change,” in TAC, pp. 183-200.
Robinson, “Jesse Jackson Implores Black Church Leaders to Fight AIDS,” Miami Herald, March 16, 1999.
Brenda C. Coleman, “Some AIDS Patients Withhold Info,” The Associated Press, February 8, 1998.
Michael James, “Condoms No Longer Available in Many Bars,” The Express (Fort Lauderdale), p.3, April 23, 2001.
“Possible Barebacking Harm Minimization Strategies,” cruisingforsex.com, November 6, 1998.
Michael Alvear, “Testing Positive: What are the Chances? What are the Odds?,” The Express (Fort Lauderdale), May 7, 2001.
April 23 - Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 8, “Legal and Ethical Issues,” in TAC; pp. 201-233.
“N.Y. Passes HIV Notification Bill,” The Associated Press, September 19, 1998.
Dino Hazell, “HIV Notification Bill Denounced,” The Associated Press, September 19, 1998.
Douglas A. Feldman, “Conclusion,” in GAP; pp. 236-240.
April 30 - Douglas A. Feldman and Julia Wang Miller, Chapter 9, “The Future of AIDS,” in TAC; pp. 234-251.
Adams, “Scientist Accuses Government Agencies of Competing, Conducting Duplicative AIDS Vaccine Research,” Wall Street Journal, January 24, 2002.
May 7 – Summary and discussion.
ALL REVISED PAPERS DUE.
May 14 – FINAL EXAM.
Course Requirements and Grade:
Research Paper: 30%
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Exam: 25%
Class participation and preparedness: 20%
TOTAL: 100%
Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on all sides, paginated, left justified only, on a pre-approved topic relating to culture and AIDS, between 9-11 pages plus references cited, and carefully checked for spelling and grammar. Papers should have references in the text keyed to the references cited page. Students who cannot write well should get outside help from the Student Learning Center in B-10 Cooper Hall. Students must submit their pre-approved topics no later than March 5th. All papers are due on April 9th. The professor will provide written feedback on the papers, and all papers (except those that receive a grade of A or A-) must be thoroughly revised and re-submitted by May 7th.
Class participation includes constructive participation in which the student demonstrates having read the assigned readings and has thought deeply about the content. Students are expected to spend at least six hours per week preparing for the class sessions. If the professor believes that students are generally not reading the assignments before the class discussions, he will require students to submit a two sentence written summary of each of the readings at the beginning of each class. Grading of these summaries will assist in determining the class participation grade.
The Midterm Exam and the Final Exam will be essay questions. The Final Exam is not cumulative. The professor will provide written feedback to your essays.
Disability Statement:
I would appreciate hearing from anyone in this class who has a special need that may be the result of a disability. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangement is necessary, be it special seating, testing, or other accommodation. See me after class, or during my office hours, as soon as possible.
Attendance Policy:
Students who have three unexcused absences (at least 15% of the class sessions) will receive a lowered grade (e.g., A = A-). Each additional unexcused absence will receive a further lowered grade (e.g., A = B+). Absences will be excused for a) documented illnesses, b) official representation of the College, c) death of a close relative, d) religious holiday, and e) other circumstances beyond the control of the student. Students should contact the professor by phone or e-mail prior to the absence if at all possible.
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to maintain the highest level of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty or lack of integrity will not be tolerated. Any student engaging in academic dishonesty or lack of integrity during this course may receive an immediate grade of “E” and will be referred to the administration for further disciplinary action.
Office Location and Hours:
Dr. Feldman’s office is located at B-4 Cooper Hall. Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 PM, or by appointment.