Medical Humanities (MEDH) 1

MEDICAL HUMANITIES MEDH 2300 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS (3 credits)

In the rapidly evolving fields of medicine and healthcare, ethical
considerations play an ever-increasing role. This course is designed to equip
(MEDH) students with the conceptual tools necessary for ethical reasoning and
decision-making in medical contexts. This course investigates critical issues
such as informed consent, end-of-life decisions, reproductive ethics, genetic
Medical Humanities testing, and research ethics. Ideal for students thinking about a career

Undergraduate Courses in healthcare, philosophy majors, medical humanities majors, or anyone

interested in grappling with the complex ethical questions that accompany
MEDH 1000 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits) advancements in biomedical science and healthcare practice. (Cross-listed
This is an interdisciplinary survey course in Medical Humanities. It focuses with PHIL 2300).
on the contributions and perspectives of arts and humanities in providing a MEDH 3000 MEDICAL HUMANITIES COMMONS (3 credits)
broad and culturally diverse understanding of health, illness, healing, and A multidisciplinary study of a health-related topic from the perspective of
medicine. medical humanities. Each semester the course will focus on a different
Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course topic or problem for exploration and inquiry. The course topic or problem
MEDH 2010 SYMBOLIC LOGIC (3 credits) is examined using disciplinary perspectives, interdisciplinary intersections,
A first course in symbolic logic designed to introduce students to formal and translational opportunities.
systems of sentential logic and predicate logic. The course explores the Prerequisite(s): MEDH 1000 or Permission of the instructor.
nature of both syntax (the formal structure of elements of language) and MEDH 3450 PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE (3 credits)
semantics (interpretive relations between language and subject matter This course considers a range of philosophical questions raised by and
including notions such as truth and reference). Students learn how to within the practice of medicine. The course begins with a conceptual
translate between English and formal languages, how to construct truth- investigation of the meaning of "health" from "illness." Is the classification
tables and interpretations to test for key semantic properties, and how of individuals as healthy or ill an objective, scientific matter? Or is it instead
to construct derivations. In addition, students will consider the nature a matter of social and ethical values? What follows from answering this
and relationships between important logical properties and explore question one way, versus another? This introduction forms the backdrop
foundational issues in logical metatheory. Throughout the course, students against which we move on to investigate a range of further topics.
will encounter broad philosophical themes such as the purpose of language, Examples of some of the topics that may be covered include: medical
constraints on translation, and nature of meaning itself. (The study of logic and social models of disability; the role morality of doctors and other
is also excellent preparation for the LSAT and the reasoning portions of medical providers; abortion, euthanasia, and conscientious objection
other examinations for graduate study.) (Cross-listed with PHIL 2010). in the healthcare professions; health measurement and quality of life;
MEDH 2030 HISTORY OF MEDICINE: FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE "death panels" and health resource rationing; conditions on appropriately
PRESENT (3 credits) voluntary and informed consent to medical procedures; and the ethics of
This course will cover the history of medicine and medical practices from the biomedical research. (Cross-listed with PHIL 3450).
earliest civilizations to the present. In addition to this chronological scope, Prerequisite(s): 6 hours of Philosophy OR Sophomore status OR
the course will also examine medical practices in cultures from across the permission of the instructor
world. (Cross-listed with HIST 2030). MEDH 4000 TOPICS IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)
Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students. This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the
Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course and disciplines of medical humanities not covered in existing courses. This
Global Diversity General Education course course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit
MEDH 2060 ART AND SCIENCE OF MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING (3 hours. (Cross-listed with MEDH 8006).
credits) Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or the permission of the instructor.
The course explores multiple facets of medical decision-making, including MEDH 4280 CLINICAL ETHNOGRAPHY (3 credits)
the perspective of the patient, the family, and the healthcare provider. Using ethnographic texts, this course explores the clinical world from an
Topics include basic anatomy and medical terminology, which will be used anthropological perspective. Students will use anthropological theories
to understand decision-making in the context of the provider. Students use and methods to learn about cultures of medical practices, diverse health
literature and other records to generate and critically evaluate clinical professions, the contexts of health care delivery, and the structural, cultural,
decisions. The course does not satisfy requirements for degree programs and historical forces that influence the practice of healthcare in the U.S. and
in the Department of Biology minor, BA, BS in Biology; BS in Biotechnology. cross-culturally. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8286, ANTH 4280).
(Cross-listed with BIOL 2060). Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or MEDH 1000 or permission of the
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1060 or concurrent. instructor.
MEDH 2100 EXPLORING MUSIC THERAPY AND ADAPTIVE MUSIC MEDH 4900 CAPSTONE IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)
THERAPY (3 credits) In this capstone course for students majoring in Medical Humanities,
An exploratory introduction to music therapy and adaptive music in the students will curate and complete their portfolio of educational experiences
rehabilitation and reorganization of human beings into social life, health, in the discipline. To integrate and apply their previous course work and
and wellbeing. A survey of the history of music therapy is included and with experience, students will participate in a community-focused medical
the processes and principles used by practicing music therapists. (Cross- humanities project.
listed with MUS 2100). Prerequisite(s): Senior standing (or students in junior standing with
Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students. permission from the instructor) and MEDH 1000, MEDH 3000 and a writing
in the discipline course approved for the major. Not open to non-degree
graduate students.
2 Medical Humanities (MEDH)

MEDH 4940 PUBLISHING THE LINDEN REVIEW (3 credits)

This course will offer students an experiential learning opportunity within
the publishing field. Students will work as an editorial team advised by their
instructor to publish a biannual, international, online literary journal named
The Linden Review. The Linden Review's mission is to publish high-quality
creative nonfiction and book reviews that investigate the complexities of
the word health. Health will be defined broadly as a deep understanding
and appreciation of bodily, emotional, spiritual, social, political, and
environmental well-being. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8946, ENGL 4940).
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: ENGL 1160 or equivalent
MEDH 4950 BRINGING THE WAR HOME: DEPICTIONS OF WAR
VETERANS IN LITERATURE AND FILM (3 credits)
Course explores the impact of war on combatants, their families
and communities as represented in literary fiction, film, historical
documentation, first-person accounts, and other texts written in or
translated to English. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8956, ENGL 4950).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1160 prerequisite
MEDH 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (1-3
credits)
This course is guided reading or independent research in special topics
in Medical Humanities under the supervision of a member of the Medical
Humanities faculty. This course is designed primarily for the student
interested in topics not currently available in the program offerings and
who has demonstrated ability to work independently. May be repeated once
for credit. (Cross-listed with MEDH 8996).
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor. Not open
to non-degree graduate students.