Pragmatic Medical Humanities

Catalog description

The question, "What is medical humanities?" has flummoxed the very experts who ardently argue for its importance to medical education and the professional and personal growth of health care providers. The interdisciplinary nature of medical humanities, engaging in conversations with persons who possess different expertise, knowledge and approaches, provides opportunities for insight unavailable elsewhere. Students will investigate alternative meanings, interpretations and purposes embedded in the term "medical humanities." They will develop their own personal relationship to this term/field of study, and its utility as a tool for understanding and responding to the profound experiences of clinical medicine, illness and health. Enrollment limited to 20. Not open to first year students or sophomores. This is a half-credit course.