Faith and Doubt in Healthcare

Catalog description

Why do some Americans trust in biomedical doctors to treat their illnesses, while others question or denounce them entirely? What does it mean to have faith, doubt (or both) in medicine today? This course provides varied approaches understanding current debates concerning public health, vaccine hesitancy, faith healing, and wellness culture. Students craft nuanced viewpoints on complex topics that are relevant in our society today and explore how religious, gender, and racial identities affect willingness to have faith in Western medical treatment or alternative medical authority.