The new Masters of Culture, Health and Medicine (CHAM) has been launched and will start for the first time in July 2008. The Masters of Culture, Health and Medicine is an one-year full-time, interdisciplinary taught program with a focus on Medical Anthropology and Health Sciences. The course is offered on-campus and as a distance learning option. We give particular attention to the importance of historical, social, cultural, political and economic factors in the areas of health, sickness, and medicine.

Our current research focus is on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, refugee health, infectious disease, political economy of health, international relations and health, development and health, science and technology, drug abuse, indigenous health, health and environment, health and ethics, pharmaceutical anthropology, medical research, emotions and embodiment, violence and health, and public health.

What can I gain through the Master?
Students of the Master of Health, Culture and Medicine program will develop conceptual knowledge and methodological skills to:
• Understand trends and changes in medical anthropological theory and practice as they apply to global health;
• Conduct interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary problems in the field of medicine and public health;
• Engage in broader debates of contemporary global health practices;
• Apply critical social inquiry and participatory processes to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and policy making in the fields of local and global health.

On completion of the program, CHAM graduates will be better able to understand the different dimensions influencing global and local health practice and apply skills through research and practice.

Why should I enrol in the CHAM program?
The CHAM program is designed for those who have developed an interest in the application of critical interdisciplinary concepts and methods to social, cultural, political, and economic issues in health. Some of the pathways students might come from include:
• Recent graduates in social sciences and medicine who desire to extend their understanding of the social and cultural bases of medical and health practice;
• Health professionals who desire further training in the social and cultural bases of medical and health practice;
• Government and non-government organizations in Australia who deliver health care and medical aid to communities within and beyond Australia, and whose work depends critically on a contextual understanding of the cultural and social location of medicine. Individual units can be taken for the purposes of professional development.
• International and Australians students who wish to use flexible, online and blended modes of course design to access quality ANU offerings enabled by multimedia technology.

Study options
CHAM is currently available on-campus at either full-time for one year or part-time for two years and students can begin in either semester. There are also short-course, modular, and distance education delivery options in development which will be available dependent on resources. Any of the courses offered can be taken as Non Award Courses for the purposes of professional development.

Degree Structure
The program consists of 48 units of coursework, 12 of which are compulsory courses as listed in the Summary of Courses, and 36 of which are elective courses. All compulsory courses are available in both first and second semesters as indicated. Electives consist of existing courses across a range of disciplines and are to be selected in consultation with the program convener.

Fees:
The regular fees at the Australian National University for Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents are ca. 14 400 Australian Dollars and for international students ca. 20400 Australian Dollars

What do I need to enter the program?
Applications are open NOW.
Successful applicants should hold a Bachelor degree in a health-oriented discipline or in a discipline from the fields of social sciences, cultural or regional studies. Candidates not fully meeting these criteria may nevertheless be considered. Students whose first language is not English must have IELTS of at least 6.5 or TOEFL or equivalent.

If you are interested, or want to know more about eligibility or course details, please contact:
Doreen Montag (Convener)
Master of Culture, Health and Medicine
School of Archaeology and Anthropology
Room 13A, A.D. Hope Building
Australian National University
Canberra
ACT, 0200
Australia
Tel.: +61-2-61253558
E-Mail: Doreen.Montag@anu.edu.au
Website: http://cass.anu.edu.au/culture_health_medicine/index.php