English 190

Other Readings and Media

Course Reader (location TBD); additional texts may be added.

Description

What is the relationship between medicine and the humanities? How do literature and medicine relate to one another? How do texts create ideas about health and wellness, illness and disability? This course will serve as an introduction to many issues at the intersection of medicine and the humanities. Topics include the history of medicine; medicine, race and gender; medicine and mental illness; and the relationship of the medical humanities to disability studies. It is intended both for humanities students who have an interest in the way medicine and illness are narrated as well as science and medical students who are interested in gaining a broader perspective within their medical and scientific training. Readings may include work by Audre Lorde, Charlotte Perkins, Sylvia Plath, Michel Foucault, Rita Charon, Arthur Frank, and others. Writing assignments will consist of one to two longer papers. Topics will be self-designed, and there will be some focus on the writing and research process.

Please read the paragraph on page 2 of the instructions area of this Announcement of Classes for more details about enrolling in or wait-listing for this course.