Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Anthropology
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Teachers will attend to the students at an agreed time arranged by e-mail
- Aleix Bonfill García, PhD: aleix.bonfill@uic.es
Introduction
Given the increasing specialization of health studies, health professionals need to have theoretical and practical resources in order to avoid fragmented views of the patient. In order to do this, the Anthropology course will facilitate the development of a coherent and complete picture of the human being in which the student is able to recognize the plurality of their physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions and integrate them appropriately.
Moreover, the concepts of health or disease, pain and suffering must be understood in light of an overall perspective of the human being that takes into account, simultaneously, their vulnerable status and personal dignity. The health professional practice inevitably raises numerous issues that require having undertaken a profound reflection on the nature of human beings, their possibilities and the limits of their behavior, which rigorously address the topics of Anthropology.
Finally, thanks to the subject of Anthropology, the Physiotherapy student can better understand the necessary articulation and balance between the technical side and the human side of their profession, with the objective of overcoming the limitations of a purely technological response to the disease as well as contributing to their professional profile in the humanizing aspect that society demands.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisites are required.
Objectives
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Reflectively and critically weigh those interpretations or images of human beings that prevail in our sociocultural system, especially taking into account their implications in the understanding of health and disease, pain and suffering.
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Reach an overall perspective of the human being as a complex and multidimensional reality, taking into account a level of philosophical reflection on the many accomplished results from ongoing developments in various biological, social and human sciences.
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Provide conceptual tools to rigorously analyze and evaluate the different problems that human existence presents in the modern world, emphasizing, in a very special way, those relating to the health world, as is the case in those situations where the dependency, vulnerability or fragility of the human being is evident.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN03 - Describe the pathophysiology of human body diseases from the clinical perspective and the type of intervention that the physiotherapist has, demonstrating knowledge about the behavior of people, both healthy and sick, as well as the factors that influence human growth and development.
- CP02 - Apply various therapeutic exercises, methodologies and physiotherapy treatment techniques to injuries and illnesses across various clinical specialties, providing comprehensive care to patients/users through multidisciplinary cooperation, process integration, and continuity of care, interpreting physician prescriptions, and making appropriate decisions in each case.
- CP04 - Manage physiotherapy services through efficient and sustainable use of health resources and development planning, management and control activities in the healthcare units where physiotherapy care is provided, so as to guarantee quality care in clinical practice.
- CP05 - Organize a specific physiotherapy treatment plan (Intervention Plan) according to the patient's health status, demonstrating an adequate capacity for execution, direction and coordination of said plan, using critical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and therapeutic tools specific to physiotherapy, all while taking into account the principle of the user's individuality as well as criteria of adequacy, validity, and efficiency.
- CP06 - Carry out rehabilitation programs adapted to the patient's health status, respecting the fundamental rights of equality between men and women and the promotion of human rights, as well as the values of a culture of peace and democratic values that include the promotion of an inclusive, non-discriminatory language free of stereotypes.
- HB01 - Integrate the different ethical, legal and professional aspects in the practice of physiotherapy, as well as the essential values of human dignity, acting with discretion and respect for diversity and multiculturalism, taking into account the rights of the patient/user and family members.
- HB05 - Structure the different steps of the scientific method, developing the most optimal methodological skills for physiotherapy in scientific and clinical reasoning and critically analyzing the methods, protocols and treatments of Physiotherapy care so that they adapt to the evolution of scientific knowledge.
- HB08 - Incorporate a physical therapy clinical practice based on scientific evidence.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- MAT06 - 01. Correctly analyse the philosophical and anthropological concepts of human dignity.
- MAT06 - 02. Explain health and illness from the point of view of its psychological, social, cultural, ethical and spiritual components.
- MAT06 - 03. Solve problems by correctly diagnosing situations.
- MAT06 - 04. Defend a critical point of view about the ideas that make up current thinking.
- MAT06 - 05. Manage the tasks proposed responsibly.
- MAT06 - 06. Show respect for the people you interact with.
- MAT06 - 07. Constantly examine your work, assessing the progress made.
- MAT06 - 08. Propose goals for personal and professional improvement.
Syllabus
Topic 1: Anthropology and Health Sciences.
Topic 2: Animal life and human life.
Topic 3: Nature, culture and freedom.
Topic 4: The human body.
Topic 5: The human being and emotions.
Topic 6: Rationality and language.
Topic 7: Freedom.
Topic 8: Human sociability.
Item 9: The dignity of the human person.
Item 10: Pain and suffering.
Item 11: The human being and disease.
Item 12: The human being in the face of death.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is usually taught through theoretical sessions (lectures) and practical sessions (case method). During the lectures the professor will go into depth on the main units and concepts of the subjects detailed in the syllabus. The practical sessions are mainly based on the analysis of texts and audiovisual documents which are intended to illustrate and go into the concepts explained above in depth. In advance, students will be able to find in the corresponding section of Moodle, the subject guidelines and documents necessary to prepare for the practical sessions.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | METHODOLOGY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
| practical classes theory classes independent study | project-based learning learning contract presentation method / lecture case method | 01 02 05 06 07 09 10 11 12 13 17 18 28.1 28.2 28.3 29.1 30.1 54 56 | 6 ECTS |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Theoretical part: 60% of the course
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25% midterm exam on course content
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50% final exam on course content
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25% attendance and participation + protocols and/or synthesis work
Practical part: 40% of the course (attendance, participation, exercises, and assignments)
Both the theoretical and practical parts must be passed in order to pass the course. If either part is failed, the course will automatically be failed, and the student will have to retake the failed activity during the extraordinary session. The maximum grade that can be obtained for this activity in the extraordinary session is 5; this grade will be averaged with the other activities previously passed during the regular session.
Copying, falsifying, or committing fraud in individual or group written assignments, class attendance, or written or oral exams is considered a serious offense and will result in the immediate failure of the course. In case of a repeated offense, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the responsible individual(s).
Bibliography and resources
BASIC MANUALS OF REFERENCE
- Amengual, G., Antropología Filosófica, BAC, Madrid, 2007.
- Choza, J., Manual de antropologia filosófica, Sevilla, Thémata 2016. - Torralba i Roselló, F., Antropología del cuidar, Fundación Mapfre Medicina, Barcelona, 1998
- Vicente Arregui, J. and Shack, J., Filosofía del hombre.Una antropología de la intimidad, ICF-UNAV, Rialp, Madrid, 1995.
- Yepes Stork, R., Fundamentos de antropología, Eunsa, Pamplona, 1997.
REQUIRED READING
- Frankl, V., El hombre en busca de sentido, Barcelona, Herder editorial 2021.
GENERAL WORKS
- Anrubia, E. (ed.), La fragilidad de los hombres. La enfermedad, la filosofía y la muerte, Eds. Cristiandad, Madrid, 2008.
- Anrubia, E. (ed.), Filosofías del dolor y la muerte, Ed. Comares, Granada, 2007.
- Escribano, X. (ed.), Territoris humans de la salut. Societat, cultura i valors en el món sanitari, Ed. Dux, Barcelona, 2008.
- Roqué, M. V. (ed.), El sentido del vivir en el morir, Thomson-Reuters Aranzadi, Pamplona, 2013
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Alsina, J., Los orígenes helénicos de la medicina occidental, Barcelona: Labor, 1992.
- Andorno, R., Bioética y dignidad de la persona, Tecnos, Madrid, 1998.
- Buber, M., ¿Qué es el hombre?, Fondo de Cultura Económica, Madrid, 1986.
- Choza, J., Humanismo de la ancianidad; en Los otros humanismos, Pamplona: Eunsa, 1994.
- Gadamer, H. G., El estado oculto de la salud, Gedisa, Barcelona, 2001.
- Gehlen, A., El hombre. Su naturaleza y su lugar en el mundo, Sígueme, Salamanca, 1987.
- González García, M. (comp.), Filosofía y dolor; Madrid: Tecnos, 2006.
- Hennezel, Marie de, La mort íntima, Columna, Barcelona, 2000.
- Jaspers, K., La práctica médica en la era tecnológica; Barcelona: Gedisa, 2003.
- Jonas, H., Técnica, medicina y ética, Paidós, Barcelona, 1997.
- Jünger, E., Sobre el dolor, Tusquets, Barcelona, 2003.
- Laín-Entralgo, Pedro, La relación médico-enfermo, Revista de Occidente, Madrid, 1964.
- Laín-Entralgo, P., El arte de la curación por la palabra en la antigüedad clásica, Barcelona: Anthropos
- Landsberg, P. L., Ensayo sobre la experiencia de la muerte, Ed. Caparrós, Madrid, 1995.
- Leget, C., Arte de morir, arte de vivir, Quarzo, México, 2018. - Ortega y Gasset, J., Meditación de la técnica y otros ensayos; Madrid: Alianza, 2000.
- Pellegrino, E. D. i Thomasma, D.A., A philosophical basis of Medical Practice. Toward a Philosophy and Ethic of the Healing Professions, New York, Oxford University Press, 1981.
- Nussbaum, La terapia del deseo, Paidós, Barcelona, 2003.
- Roqué, Mª. V., Médico y paciente. El lado humano de la medicina, Ed. Dux, Barcelona, 2007.
- Russo, G., Il medico. Identità e ruoli nella società di oggi, Edizioni Internazionali, Roma, 2004
- Scheler, M., Muerte y supervivencia, Ed. Encuentro, Madrid, 2001.
- Scheler, M., El puesto del hombre en el cosmos, Revista de Occidente, Madrid, 1936.
- Torralba, F., Filosofía de la Medicina, Institut Borja de Bioètica. Fundación Mapfre Medicina, Madrid, 2001.
- Vicente Arregui, J., El horror de morir; Barcelona, Tibidabo, 1992.
TITLES OF INTEREST
- Bauby, J.-D., La escafandra y la mariposa, Ed. Planeta, Barcelona, 2008.
- Sacks, O., L'home que va confondre la seva dona amb un barret, Ed. Proa, Barcelona, 2001.
- Szczeklik, A., Catarsis, Sobre el poder curativo de la naturaleza y el arte, Acantilado, Barcelona, 2010.
- Szczeklik, A., Core. Sobre enfermos, enfermedades y la búsqueda del alma de la medicina, Acantilado, Barcelona, 2012.
Evaluation period
- E1 27/01/2026 A15 12:00h
- E1 27/01/2026 A16 12:00h
- E2 07/07/2026 12:00h