PERSPECTIVES ON ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Catalog description

In recent years alternative (holistic, complimentary) medicine has become a common adjunct to conventional medicine in the United States. There are a large number of therapies that fall into the "alternative medicine" category ranging from chiropractic and acupuncture to aroma therapy and magnets. This course will first explore the concepts and guidelines that constitute valid science as opposed to "junk" science. The placebo effect will be thoroughly discussed since it plays a vital role in the practice of medicine. Finally, several alternative therapies will be critically examined based on modern scientific methodology.Faculty: R. WERNER