Medicine through Literature. 2 Credit Hours

Catalog description

In this course you are required to read short stories, poems, and a book of nonfiction. While many of the stories or poems directly address medical or ethical issues, the primary purpose is not to enhance your store of knowledge in these areas, but to promote your appreciation of these works through discussions with other students (online via Canvas discussions and in class) and with authors and lecturers. Your own contributions to the course - not just the insights you've gained as medical students but the wisdom you bring to the class as human beings - will be critical to its success. We hope that the readings will help you prepare for and process your clinical experiences, furthering your development as a person as well as physician. There will be no "right" or "wrong" answers in this course; rather, our goal is to encourage thoughtful and serious responses to the readings and a lively and fulfilling conversation about them and the issues they raise. MSIV students will receive two credits for completion of this longitudinal elective. All students are expected to participate in class discussions. Grades are earned by reading assignments, attendance at class meetings, and posting primary and secondary responses to posted discussion questions. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.