Professor
Anthropology
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

Department of Anthropology                                       
233 McElhinney Hall                                                  
University of Houston                                                  
Houston, Texas  77204-5020

Biographical Summary

1981          MPH Health Services Administration, Harvard School of Public Health

1975          Ph.D. Cultural Anthropology, University of Wisconsin; Minor - Latin American Studies

1969          M.A.   Sociology and Anthropology, The New School for Social Research

1967          B.A.    Anthropology, Bard College

Andrew J. Gordon is an anthropologist with fieldwork in Francophone West Africa, Guinea, Hispanic Caribbean, Belize, New England, and now Houston.  He compares problems of health, illness and identity in varied cultural settings. His approach in anthropology has sought to merge theoretical inquiry on identity with practical concerns in health care development.  To extend his reach as an applied anthropologist,  he received a Masters of Public Health in Health Services Administration. He has consulted for the Pan American Health Organization, the US Agency for International Development, the United States Centers for Disease Control, the World Bank, among others.  Currently he is finishing a book on identity and globalization in Belize, Central America, with an  anticipated publication in 2012 (Cegage. Thompson/Wadsworth). His research in Belize observes the impact of visions and planned change from the outside world on an historically Mayan community. Additionally, he now works with Dr. Janis Hutchinson, medical anthropologist in Comparative Cultural Studies, to examine how everyday talk is related to shared problems of diabetes and hypertension in Black and Hispanic families. 

Research Interests

Medical and Applied Anthropology, Urban Environments, International Development, Globalization and Alcohol/Drug Studies:  Latin America, West Africa, U.S. Cities. 

Teaching

8/00 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology;  Director, Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Anthropology 2001-2004

8/86 - 8/00 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH  CAROLINA  Associate Professor, Dept. of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health;  Adjunct Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Anthropology; Director, Graduate Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Studies

Selected Publications

2012 Bullet Tree: Directed Change in a Maya Village, Wadsworth/Cengage
Contract forthcoming, pending approval of financial proposal 

2008 Gordon, Andrew J. and Atoulaye Sall, Fulani Beliefs  In  Health Knowledge and Belief Systems in Africa, Toyin Falola and Matthew M. Heaton, eds. pp 67-82.  Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.

2007 Gordon, Andrew J. P. Stanley Yoder, and Mamadou Camara, Witnessing Practice: The Treatment of Childhood Illness In Upper Guinea, Western Africa. The Applied Anthropologist 27 (3):  139-153.

2004 Gordon, Andrew J., P. Stanley Yoder, and Mamadou Camara Signs of Illness, Treatment, and Support for Young Children in Guinea:  A Prospective Community Study.  USAID-contract No. HRN-C-00-97-00019-00, 2004.

2002 Gordon, Andrew J, Conakry in   World Encyclopedia of Cities, Mel Ember and Carol Ember, eds. Vol.2  pp 70-76.  New York:  Grolier Press

Photos

Professor Gordon in Konindou, Haut Guinee, W. Africa	With ex-prime minister "Father of the Belize", George Price