Example alternative therapies dissertation topic 6:

Mao Zedong and traditional Chinese medicine – A cultural and ideological alternative to Western medical practices?

Focusing on traditional Chinese medicines, this dissertation looks at the role of Mao Zedong in the presentation of Chinese medicine as an alternative to western medical practices. Using contemporaneous archival material as well as secondary sources noting, for instance, the visit of President Nixon to China and the ‘patient operated upon with acupuncture rather than anaesthetic’ (later shown to be a hoax), this dissertation combines the theory and practice of Chinese traditional medicine with the socio-political and cultural legacy of Mao. A working knowledge of Mandarin would be advantageous – but not essential – for the completion of this dissertation.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Hesketh, T. and Zhu Wei, X. (1997). Health in China: From Mao to market reform. BMJ, vol. 314(7093), p. 1543.
• Keji, C. and Hao, X. (2003). ‘The integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine’. European Review, vol. 11(2), pp. 225-235.
• Stone, R. (2008). ‘Lifting the veil on traditional Chinese medicine’. Science, vol. 319(5864), pp. 709-710.