MDHM 2310 Introduction to Medical Humanities
This course serves as an introduction to the Medical Humanities, an interdisciplinary field that uses the humanities' methods of inquiry to examine, critique, and ultimately help improve the practice of medicine and the delivery of ethical, quality care. Drawing on the insights and disciplines of literary studies, philosophy, theology, history, and the fine arts, students will reflect upon the values that motivate and shape conceptualizations of medical care, and they will begin to develop the interpretive and cultural competence to read and listen effectively to the often bewildering and subtle representations of suffering, illness experience, confusion, despair, hopelessness, and hope that people share-as testimony to human mortality.