Health Humanities Minor
The health humanities minor is an interdisciplinary minor designed to promote the integration of the humanities in the understanding and practice of health care and medicine. Drawing on insights from literature, philosophy, communication, psychology, sociology and other fields, the minor fosters critical reflection on the meanings of health, illness and human suffering as well as the diversity of responses to such experiences.
Why Choose a Health Humanities Minor at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½?
Students who plan to make an unforgettable impact on health care should possess both the knowledge and skills specific to their profession as well as the curiosity to question the foundation of modern medicine and the current state of health care, to tear down what doesn’t improve quality of care, and to rebuild something better in its place.
The health humanities minor helps students cultivate a reflective and empathetic understanding of health care practices, patient-provider relationship and outcomes, multiple and diverse conceptualizations of health and disease, and an interrogation of the ethics underlying the conceptualization and practice of medicine.
An education in health humanities prepares students for careers in:
- Health care policy or law
- Health education
- Communications and social marketing
- Psychology and counseling
- Public or global health
- Social work
- Patient advocacy
- Health journalism
- And more...
The curriculum offers a diverse array of courses from communication, philosophy, nursing, psychology, sociology and other disciplines to provide a deeper awareness of the multi-dimensional nature of health and disease. You learn the analytical skills necessary for critical thinking and effective communication about the challenges involved with health care.
I am so excited to use the unparalleled skills and knowledge I gained while a student at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and expand upon those during my graduate career at Columbia University.
Drs. Vinita Agarwal (Communication), Tina Reid (Nursing), and Yujia Song (Philosophy) gave a panel presentation titled, "Engaged Humanities: Health, Community, and Praxis" at the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½TLC. They discussed courses and pedagogical innovations that bridge theory and practice, student knowledge and community concerns, as well as humanities education and pre-professional training.
As part of “A Path Forward: Strategic Initiatives” of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s College of Health and Human Services, Dr. Tina Reid (Nursing) and Dr. Yujia Song (Philosophy) developed an interprofessional education experience titled, “Local Impact of a Global Pandemic: Health Inequities & COVID-19.” Around 60 students from multiple schools and majors participated in the event.