THE UNSEEN DRIVERS OF THE RESPONSE TO EMERGING PANDEMICS in Spring 2021 (GR5002)

: The module draws on perspectives from social sciences and humanities (sociology, anthropology, philosophy, African oral literature). It shows how the almost exclusive pre-eminence of the biomedical frame of reference on the global discourse and the official responses obscures the thinking on a complex web of changing social meanings that includes collective share values and identities, religious discourses, social media’s productions, social inequalities, gender relations and political dynamics… The module introduces a binocular approach that highlights, at the same time, on one hand, the contexts of vulnerability, and on another, social and cultural resources for self-organized responses by grassroots communities and for societal resilience. The course refers to the Covid19 and Ebola epidemics. It presents findings from studies completed in North and South America, Asia and Europe; however it focuses particularly on African contexts. It introduces an in-depth and critical thinking on cultural, epistemic and philosophical concepts, a documentation of strategies and practical experiences and an analysis of case stories, narratives and autobiographical discourses (especially of women facing the burden of the epidemics on individuals, families and communities). Finally, the module includes simulation exercises to build capacity for the development of sociocultural and gender-sensitive research, intervention and strategy designs including those for community engagement. Dates: March 31st - April 3rd