Medical Creative Writing

Catalog description

The goal of this elective is to provide medical students the opportunity to explore their medical school experience through non-medical fiction, poetry, and creative arts. The Medical Creative Writing elective is a Tulane School of Medicine course designed to supplement a traditional medical education with the study of literature and active writing. Intentionally, the topics explored are not overtly medical, focusing rather on non-medical content is explored. By documenting their experiences, students’ can ground themselves in the reality of their medical experiences while simultaneously publishing a tangible publication. Such practices foster personal reflection as they are testament to personal and professional accountability. This elective will require in-person time commitment, particularly outside of normal class hours. Students are expected to come prepared and will use class time to write and reflect on the reading materials provided for them. Students will be asked to write in-real-time so as to precure spontaneous thoughtfulness and avoid the reliance of automated writing. As the course unfolds, students are required to organize their work in a formal portfolio, thesis, or similarly creative project for publication or submission to a journal, literary magazine, essay contest or akin. The final portfolio will be the mainstay of the elective and mandatory submission is required to pass the class.