IDS 290 Introduction to Medical Humanities

3 Credit(s) WC

This course will investigate important questions about health and health care through an interdisciplinary perspective. Special emphasis will be placed on how cultural differences and structural inequalities (such as gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and geographic location) can affect the quality and accessibility of health care. Students will examine a variety of sources related in the experience and treatment of disease that may range from works of art and literature to documentary film to reading in cross-cultural psychology and medial anthropology. They will reflect on some of the ethical issues raised by forms of health-care delivery, medical research, and end-of-life decision making, and develop some of the skills ( observation, analysis, empathy, self-reflection) essential for humane medical care.