How and why does one become anorexic? It starts as a simple diet, and ends up as an obsession that leads to severe health consequences, including death. Anorexia nervosa is remarkably difficult to treat and cure, and the recovery rates are highly variable. How and why has anorexia become an epidemic? What can be done?

While many blame the media, many experts claim that anorexia has genetic roots. Others claim that a predisposition to anorexia is exacerbated by the individual's psychological state and relation to others - either one's peer group or parental figure (usually a mother). Eating disorders are epidemic in our society. This course explains why they are likely to get worse before it gets better.

This course investigates the nature, causes, and manifestations of anorexia, and explores causes, behaviors, health and psychological consequences. Taking this course will provide you with statistics, current articles, case studies, and information needed to understand what has become an epidemic in our time. You will read stories by and about anorexics, examine the impact of the media and pro-anorexia websites, explore psychological issues, and find out which recovery approaches work and why.

With a focus on writing and interaction with other students, the course allows students to see how writing memoirs, autobiography, and creative non-fiction can help an individual gain insight into anorexia and other eating disorders.

Further, the course relates the eating disorders to societal trends and pressures, as well as psychological contexts and dynamics. In addition to investigating the history and nature of anorexia, we will also take a close look at case studies.

For the last several years, a phenomenon known as "proana" has surfaced on the web. In short, these are "pro-anorexia" sites that function to encourage and support individuals who either suffer from anorexia, or who have a desire to acquire the disease. Many of the sites take advantage of social networking on the web, and "web rings." Xanga is one of the more popular social networking / webring providers popular with teens and pre-teens. This course will look at "proana" and "ana - mia" webrings and will analyze what they reveal about the phenomenon.

If you or someone you know has battled an eating disorder, you will find this course to be absolutely fascinating. It provides vital information for counselors, college students, coaches, people interested in dance, historians, fashion designers and media specialists.

This course is one of a five-course certificate course in Eating Disorders, in the area of Human Development. The other courses include Bulimia; Obesity; Society, Media and Women's Bodies; Traumatic Incidents and Eating Disorders.

Reading and Reflective Thinking

Writing Requirements

Four short journals(can be memoirs, reflective journal entries, or creative non-fiction, reviews of websites), 500 - 750 words (this works out to about 2-3 pages 12 pt Courier, double-spaced) each

One quiz Discussion board postings and/or responses to Understanding Anorexia guiding questions (10 questions, 25 - 50 word response to each question)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have been able to discuss issues relating to anorexia with other students on the discussion board, and to write clear, coherent papers on the issues relating to anorexia.

Unit 1: Anorexia -- A Deadly Quest

Unit 2: Anorexia from Medieval Time Until Now

Unit 3: How and Why Do People Develop Anorexia?

Unit 4: Examples and Case Studies

Unit 5: The Future of Anorexia: Cultural Trends, Proana Sites, Ana/Mia Sites - Treatment

Online readings

Recommended texts:

Ira M. Sacker, Dying to Be Thin

Memoir / biography of anorexia (ex. Marya Hornbacher's, Wasted)

Journal 1 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent
Journal 2 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent
Journal 3 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent
Journal 4 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent
Journal 5 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent

Quiz 1 - (total 100 points) - 10 percent
Quiz 2 - (total 150 points) - 15 percent

Discussion board / brief question responses - 25 percent - (total 250 points) -

This course is designed to be informational and to provide history, background, and case studies. Because we focus on examining how writing memoirs and creative non-fiction can help lead to a better understanding of the topic and one's self, it can be very enjoyable and very enlightening. The class, however, is in no way designed to be therapeutic, or to take the place of counselling, medical attention, or legal help. Students are encouraged to write in a creative manner, but should not reveal things that are confidential or potentially embarrassing.