Narrative Medicine, Psychology and Meaning Making

Catalog description

This course will employ the foundational principles and practices of Narrative Medicine to recognize, absorb, interpret, and be moved by stories of illness by using techniques of close reading and reflective writing with a focus on the psychological dimensions of human experience and meaning making. Class sessions will alternate between theory and practice as we cultivate habits of noticing the ways language (including diction and assumptions regarding audience) reflects intimate and broad intersections of identity, power and systemic oppression. We will practice paying attention to our own identity-bound use of language, and respond to others’ narrative choices with awareness of cultural difference and humility. Our creative practice lab will include the close reading of texts in various literary and art forms, production of creative works, and other curiosity building endeavors.