The medical humanities offer a look at medicine from a variety of perspectives not normally available in the more scientific curriculum offered in most medical schools. Medical humanities include perspectives of the historian, the story teller, the anthropologist, the ethicist, the attorney, the psychiatrist and others.

Such perspectives prove a broadening context for the practice of medicine, a context that allows the physician to place his or her work into relationship with other established fields of knowledge.

Many physicians find the medical humanities to be helpful in their daily practice. The emphasis on language and communication, the attention to problem solving, and most importantly, the development of critical thinking that the medical humanities encourage serve to ground, deepen, and enrich the work of these physicians.

"The most significant strength was the healthy environment created for discussion .... GREAT CLASS -- I highly recommend it!!"

"This course gave me insight into why medicine is like it is today. We also discussed the future and politics -- very interesting! I really think this should be given to everyone -- we should all know the beginnings of our chosen profession."

"This has been about the most thought provoking course I have ever had .... It was a definite plus to have the disciplines of medicine, law and nursing represented."

"...wish we had more time. Would love to continue this course in my residency. Thanks so much."

"I wish we could have taken these humanities courses all through school."

"I give the course an A +."

Diseases and Society from Antiquity to Now - (Monday, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.) Examines impact of disease in historical demographic, economic, social, political and cultural terms.            

Laura Smoller PhD

Law and Medicine - (Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.) Basic overview of legal process as it affects practice of medicine, focusing on rights/obligations of physicians in daily practice.

Harold H. Simpson, JD

Religion and Medicine -   (Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.),  Evening) Understanding practices and beliefs of the world's religions regarding health, medicine and ethics and strategies for respectful clinical interactions with patients and families

Larry Burton, ThD

Osler: Genesis of Modern Medicine - Brief self-directed study of Sir William Osler, M. D. (1849-1919), who defined modern therapeutic standards.

Cynthia Pitcock, PhD
 

Medical Anthropology - (Tu/Th 3:05 - 4:20 P.M.) Comparison of Western and non-Western medical systems including an examination of the problem of how to adapt Western medicine to the needs of diverse cultural and ethnic groups. Tentatively scheduled for Tu/Th from 3:05 - 4:20

Karen Drummond, Ph.D.

Biomedical Ethics - Advanced study of ethical issues and problems arising in contemporary medical practice.                 

Chris Hackler, PhD

Health and the Social Environment - Examination of psychosocial issues related to health and disease in today's society.    

J. Pasley, PhD

History of American Medicine - Analysis of the physician in American culture from the colonial period to the 20th century.               

Cynthia Pitcock, PhD

Medicine in Literature - Exploration of symbolic and narrative dimensions of medical profession as presented in literary texts.   

Charles Anderson, PhD
 

Religion Spirituality and Clinical Practice -  Examination of 1) ways of understanding religion from the perspective of psychology and sociology 2) scientific research about the relationship between religion and health-as well as critiques of this work-and 3) practical and ethical implications of including religion as an element of clinical medical practice. 

Larry Burton, ThD

The Division of Medical Humanities electives are particularly important and useful in the final semesters of medical school because they afford the new physician an opportunity to reflect upon medical school and to prepare the residency experience. They invite a thoughtful assessment of medicine and of the physician's many roles within the profession.