Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Anthropology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
By appointment via email.
Theoretical sessions: Dra. Andrea Rodríguez (arodriguezp@uic.es)
Practical sessions: Josep del Hierro jdelhierro@uic.es
Pilar Castro mdpcastro@uic.es
Introduction
The subject of Anthropology facilitates the development of a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the human person, making it possible to recognize the plurality of their dimensions and their proper integration. This training, essential for every university student, is especially necessary in Biomedical studies, which are oriented towards research and the pursuit of solutions that always benefit both individuals and human society as a whole.
Pre-course requirements
There are no previous requirements.
Objectives
This course has three main objectives:
1. Provide students with a habit of critical reflection, which can be applied to various areas of present and future activities
2. Promote thinking about the human person, their multiple dimensions, and their social nature
3. Explain to students that the person is at the center of their future professional practice.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CP03 - Apply ethical principles to professional practice, undertaking activities with respect for people, their customs, beliefs and cultures recognising the importance and limitations of scientific thought in the field of Biomedical Sciences, including the correct communication and laying down of ethical principles.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
Learning outcomes of the subject
By the end of the course, students should:
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Identify the foundations of anthropology as a discipline to understand the interaction between nature and culture in human beings.
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Describe the fundamental traits of the human person, such as their intrinsic dignity and the central role they play in constructing their identity and relationships.
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Explore the various dimensions of human nature (physis, pathos, logos, ethos, polis), reflecting on how these influence animal and human life, emotions, intelligence, language, and action.
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Evaluate the role of sociability in the formation of societies and institutions, considering the interaction between will, free will, and ethical values.
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Analyze key topics such as human corporality, vulnerability to illness, and the impact of science, technique, and technology on the understanding and care of human life.
Syllabus
First approach: Introduction
1. Antropology as the Study of Human Nature
2. Human Being: Nature and Nurture
I. The Person: The Core of Human Being
3. Fundamental Traits of the Person
4. The Dignity of the Person
II. The Dimensions of Human Nature (physis, pathos, logos, ethos, polis)
5. Animal Life and Human Life
6. Feelings
7. Intelligence and Language
8. Human action. Will and Free Agency.
9. Human Sociability. Society and Institutions
III. Anthropological Questions in Biomedicine
10. Human corporality
11. Vulnerability and sickness
12. Science, technique and technology
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully In-Person Classroom Modality
The training activities are of four types:
1. Theoretical classes - 30 hours: Lectures conducted by the teaching staff, aimed at transmitting knowledge and encouraging student reflection through active participation.
2. Case Method (CM) - 30 hours: Practical sessions in the classroom where students will complete exercises based on texts and multimedia resources while analyzing aspects related to theoretical content. During these sessions, students will use different methodologies:
- Peer evaluation work. This task consists of two phases. In the first phase, students prepare a paper according to the specifications provided by the teaching staff. Once the students submit the required paper, the second phase begins. In this phase, students must evaluate the work of several classmates while their own work is evaluated by other peers. The final grade obtained in this activity will depend both on the grade assigned by the teaching staff to their work and on the accuracy with which they evaluate their classmates.
- Critical reflection work on a book that will be specified on the first day of class.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
In order to evaluate the student's knowledge and competences, the following will be considered:
-Theory: 50% of the final grade. This grade will be split in the following parameters:
- 70%: Final exam
- 20%: Midterm exam
- 10%: Attendance
-Practical activities: 50% of the final grade. This grade will be split in attendance, participation and class exercises and assignments.
In order to pass the subject, students must pass separately both theory and practice with a minimum grade of 5/10.
In case of needing a second sitting, the student must retake the part of the subject in which the minimum required in the previous paragraph has not been achieved.
Bibliography and resources
GARCÍA CUADRADO, J. A., Antropología Filosófica. Una introducción a la Filosofía del hombre, Eunsa, 2014
LOMBO, J. A.- GIMÉNEZ, J. M., La unidad de la persona: aproximación interdisciplinar desde la filosofía y la neurociencia, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2013
LLANO, A., La vida lograda, Barcelona, 2002
MALO, A., Antropología de la afectividad, Pamplona, Eunsa, 2004
POLO, L., ¿Quién es el hombre?, Madrid 1991
POLO, L., La persona humana y su crecimiento, Pamplona, Eunsa, 1999
POLO, L., Lecciones de Psicología Clásica, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2009
SARRAIS, F., Madurez psicológica y felicidad, Eunsa, Pamplona 2013
TERRASA, Eduardo: El viaje hacia la propia identidad, Eunsa, Pamplona 2005
VON HILDEBRAND, D., El corazón, Palabra, Madrid 1997
YEPES, R. - ARANGUREN, J., Fundamentos de Antropología, Eunsa, 2007
Evaluation period
- E1 27/05/2026 A16 14:00h
- E2 26/06/2026 A16 11:00h