Medical Humanities (MEDH)

MEDH 8006  TOPICS IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)

This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the disciplines of medical humanities not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours. (Cross-listed with MEDH 4000).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or permission of the instructor

MEDH 8126  THE DARK SIDE OF US PUBLIC HEALTH (3 credits)

This course uses a social-ecological framework to examine health disparities in the United States, with a focus on "race," ethnicity, gender, and the ways these identities intersect. Students will explore the multi-level factors that contribute to these disparities, as well as the historical context that has shaped the relationship between these social categories and public health. Throughout the course, we will emphasize the critical role of ethical reflection and responsible practice in public health research, policy, and intervention. (Cross-listed with MEDH 4120).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor.

MEDH 8386  PHARMACEUTICALS, THE SELF, & SOCIETY (3 credits)

How do pharmaceuticals, for example those used to treat chronic pain to diabetes to depression, shape our lives? What are the stakes pharmaceutical treatment for an individual's sense of self, their social connections, and their livelihood? How has pharmaceuticalization, the growing use of pharmaceuticals to frame everyday life, spread across the globe? Pharmaceuticals connect a global industry with subjective experiences of healing, communication between prescribers and patients, tensions between self-care and health commodification, shifting boundaries of between normal and pathological experiences, and ethical claims to health as a human right. This course draws on anthropological theories and methods to explore these pressing questions and issues. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8386, ANTH 4380, MEDH 4380).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

MEDH 8996  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 4990).

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.