Medical Humanities

General Information

The Medical Humanities major helps students increase their understanding of the nature of illness, health, wellness, healing, and medicine by exploring these topics in three blocks of classes that share a commonality of focus. The Major in Medical Humanities is intentionally flexible and interdisciplinary, reflecting both the needs of students and the nature of the field.

To ensure cohesion, all majors take the introductory course, a Medical Humanities Commons course, which is an interdisciplinary examination of a single relevant topic (e.g. “Suffering” or “Compliance”) and a Capstone course in Medical Humanities that includes a project integrating their chosen coursework with community engagement.

Block 1: Inclusivity & Diversity: Courses in this block allow students to explore how race, ethnicity, gender, sex, age and income affect the experience of health, illness and medicine. Demographically, the population of the United States is aging and diversifying and this affects who seeks health care and how they interact with the system. Poverty has an enormous impact on the health and well-being of individuals, communities and populations. Students pursuing careers in health care will therefore benefit from a foundational understanding of these concepts and perspectives.

Block 2: Ethics, Religion & Culture: Courses in this block provide students with a foundation in the values, beliefs and concepts that define how health, illness, disease and medicine are experienced at a social and cultural level by individuals and societies. It prepares students to confront ethical questions of meaning and value that arise in the context of medical research and practice. Spirituality and religion for many patients, practitioners and communities are the heart of health care. Exploring cross-cultural perspectives on medical beliefs, practices and systems encourages students to reflect on the diverse ways humans approach, experience and solve problems of health and health care delivery.

Block 3: Narrative Medicine, Communication & Fine Arts: Courses in this block allow students the opportunity to explore different ways of observing, communicating and understanding health, illness and healing. Narrative medicine encourages students to write, reflect and find meaning in their own and others experiences with health and medicine. Literature introduces students to life situations associated with illness and disability in an intimate and intuitive way. Communication skills are essential for interprofessional teams, and working with clients and patients. Music, visual art and drama courses encourage students to express and experience the human condition in unique ways, as well as improving listening, observation and communication skills.

Other Information

All coursework taken for the medical humanities major must be completed with a grade of “C-“ or better.

Residency

A maximum of three credit hours can be transferred from another university to count towards the medical humanities major, unless the Director agrees to additional credit transfer.

Contact Information

Dustin Pendley
dpendley@unomaha.edu

Website

Writing in the Discipline

All students are required to take a writing in the discipline course within their major. For the medical humanities major, students take one of the following: ENGL 2400, WRWS 3500, ENGL 4970 or another approved course.

Medical Humanities Minor

An education with a humanities perspective on health and medicine shapes individuals to think critically, compassionately and knowledgeably about the human condition, appreciate and respect diverse communities, and develop reflective and resilient habits of the mind. A major in Medical Humanities prepares graduates for health care occupations through its focus on the humanistic aspects of medicine that promote patient centered care and resilient professionals.

Students could benefit from this program if they are planning careers in

medicine
public health
mental health
counseling
nursing
health education
bioethics
health care administration
health communications and public relations
patient advocacy
human resources
wellness
chaplaincy

MEDH 1000 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)

This is an interdisciplinary survey course in Medical Humanities. It focuses on the contributions and perspectives of arts and humanities in providing a broad and culturally diverse understanding of health, illness, healing, and medicine.

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course

MEDH 2010 SYMBOLIC LOGIC (3 credits)

A first course in symbolic logic designed to introduce students to formal systems of sentential logic and predicate logic. The course explores the nature of both syntax (the formal structure of elements of language) and semantics (interpretive relations between language and subject matter including notions such as truth and reference). Students learn how to translate between English and formal languages, how to construct truth-tables and interpretations to test for key semantic properties, and how to construct derivations. In addition, students will consider the nature and relationships between important logical properties and explore foundational issues in logical metatheory. Throughout the course, students will encounter broad philosophical themes such as the purpose of language, constraints on translation, and nature of meaning itself. (The study of logic is also excellent preparation for the LSAT and the reasoning portions of other examinations for graduate study.) (Cross-listed with PHIL 2010).

MEDH 2030 HISTORY OF MEDICINE: FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE PRESENT (3 credits)

This course will cover the history of medicine and medical practices from the earliest civilizations to the present. In addition to this chronological scope, the course will also examine medical practices in cultures from across the world. (Cross-listed with HIST 2030).

Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students.

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course and Global Diversity General Education course

MEDH 2060 ART AND SCIENCE OF MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING (3 credits)

The course explores multiple facets of medical decision-making, including the perspective of the patient, the family, and the healthcare provider. Topics include basic anatomy and medical terminology, which will be used to understand decision-making in the context of the provider. Students use literature and other records to generate and critically evaluate clinical decisions. The course does not satisfy requirements for degree programs in the Department of Biology minor, BA, BS in Biology; BS in Biotechnology. (Cross-listed with BIOL 2060).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1060 or concurrent.

MEDH 2100 EXPLORING MUSIC THERAPY AND ADAPTIVE MUSIC THERAPY (3 credits)

An exploratory introduction to music therapy and adaptive music in the rehabilitation and reorganization of human beings into social life, health, and wellbeing. A survey of the history of music therapy is included and with the processes and principles used by practicing music therapists. (Cross-listed with MUS 2100).

Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students.

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 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 testing, and research ethics. Ideal for students thinking about a career in healthcare, philosophy majors, medical humanities majors, or anyone interested in grappling with the complex ethical questions that accompany advancements in biomedical science and healthcare practice. (Cross-listed with PHIL 2300).

MEDH 3000 MEDICAL HUMANITIES COMMONS (3 credits)

A multidisciplinary study of a health-related topic from the perspective of medical humanities. Each semester the course will focus on a different topic or problem for exploration and inquiry. The course topic or problem is examined using disciplinary perspectives, interdisciplinary intersections, and translational opportunities.

Prerequisite(s): MEDH 1000 or Permission of the instructor.

MEDH 3450 PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE (3 credits)

This course considers a range of philosophical questions raised by and within the practice of medicine. The course begins with a conceptual investigation of the meaning of "health" from "illness." Is the classification of individuals as healthy or ill an objective, scientific matter? Or is it instead a matter of social and ethical values? What follows from answering this question one way, versus another? This introduction forms the backdrop against which we move on to investigate a range of further topics. Examples of some of the topics that may be covered include: medical and social models of disability; the role morality of doctors and other medical providers; abortion, euthanasia, and conscientious objection in the healthcare professions; health measurement and quality of life; "death panels" and health resource rationing; conditions on appropriately voluntary and informed consent to medical procedures; and the ethics of biomedical research. (Cross-listed with PHIL 3450).

Prerequisite(s): 6 hours of Philosophy OR Sophomore status OR permission of the instructor

MEDH 4000 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 8006).

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

MEDH 4280 CLINICAL ETHNOGRAPHY (3 credits)

Using ethnographic texts, this course explores the clinical world from an anthropological perspective. Students will use anthropological theories and methods to learn about cultures of medical practices, diverse health professions, the contexts of health care delivery, and the structural, cultural, and historical forces that influence the practice of healthcare in the U.S. and cross-culturally. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8286, ANTH 4280).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or MEDH 1000 or permission of the instructor.

MEDH 4900 CAPSTONE IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)

In this capstone course for students majoring in Medical Humanities, students will curate and complete their portfolio of educational experiences in the discipline. To integrate and apply their previous course work and experience, students will participate in a community-focused medical humanities project.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing (or students in junior standing with 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.

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.

MEDH 8006 TOPICS IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (3 credits)

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

MEDH 8996 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MEDICAL HUMANITIES (1-3 credits)

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