School:
College of Liberal Arts

Department:
Language and Literature

Student Type:
Undergraduate

Program:
Medical Humanities

Administrators:
Elizabeth Kubek, Ph.D., Program Director

Objectives:
The Medical Humanities major is designed to prepare students for medical school, graduate work in interdisciplinary science/humanities programs, or other profession careers that require advanced work at the intersections of the life sciences and the humanities. The coursework for the major reflects both the emergence of Medical Humanities as a graduate-level discipline at highly selective medical schools and universities and the increased preference of all medical schools for applicants with a significant background in the humanities.
The goals of the Medical Humanities Program at Benedictine University are as follows:
• To foster students’ awareness of the interconnectedness and relevance to life of the disciplines which are the object of academic study;
• To expose students to the current ideas and practices that “humanize” the medical sciences, and vice versa;
• To encourage students to make productive connections between their practical knowledge, their daily activities, their ethical values, and their relations with other beings and with the environment;
• To foster a spirit of collaboration between students and faculty, and provide students with opportunities to work closely with faculty and professionals;
• To educate future professionals who are both accomplished in their fields and engaged, responsible global citizens;
• To promote the creation of a medical community that includes regard for the patient and for practitioners as whole persons;
• To provide future professionals with critical and ethical tools that will enable them to transform their profession and to remain informed and engaged throughout their lives.

Requirements - Major:
Major requirements are as follows:
1) MCAT “Core” sequence: MATH 111 (3), CHEM 113 (3), 114 (1), 123 (3), 124 (1), 242 (3), 243 (1), 247 (3), 248 (1); BIOL 197 (3),198 (3), 199 (1), 250 (3), 251 (1), 258 (4), 340 (3), plus 259 (1) or 203 (4) or 341 (1); BCHM 261 (3); PHYS 113 (3), 114 (1), 118 (3), 119 (1);

2) Proficiency in a modern language to 202 (up to 12 credit hrs); or one year Latin, one year Greek (no proficiency option, although AP credit can be applied) (6 credit hrs)

3. Interdisciplinary track A or B:
3A. Five-course concentration in a CLA discipline (courses selected by the program director/Department Chair with input from faculty, approved by the Medical Humanities Advisory Group; two at the 300 level), and five from a list of approved courses (selected by Departments) in CLA disciplines other than the concentration discipline. Concentration discipline not to “double-count” towards a minor but other five courses might. Must total at least 30 credit hrs. During the senior year, student will also complete and submit a final major research project (which must entail writing a paper of significant length), and must also have been approved (by signature) by two faculty members, at least one of whom must represent a CLA discipline, and who will supervise the student and grade the final project.

Or

3B. Self-Designed Medical Humanities Program. Ten courses, of which no more than four may be from a College other than CLA, and at least three of which must be at the 300 level; these courses should add up to a concentration in a field or topic appropriate to the Medical Humanities discipline (for examples, students should refer to such professional resources as the Medical Humanities central website at http://medhum.med.nyu.edu or the peer-reviewed journal Medical Humanities at http://mh.bmj.com). Students wishing to design such a program must submit a written rationale to the Medical Humanities Advisory Group for approval (by majority vote). This rationale must demonstrate a clear connection between the selected courses and a major senior research project (which must entail writing a paper of significant length), and must also have been approved (by signature) by two faculty members, at least one of whom must represent a CLA discipline, and who will supervise the student and grade the final project. The student’s plan of study should be based on a reasonable expectation that the courses selected will be offered within the timeframe proposed for completion of the degree. Must total at least 30 credit hrs.
3B. Self-Designed Medical Humanities Program. Ten courses, of which no more than four may be from a College other than CLA, and at least three of which must be at the 300 level; these courses should add up to a concentration in a field or topic appropriate to the Medical Humanities discipline (for examples, students should refer to such professional resources as the Medical Humanities central website at http://medhum.med.nyu.edu or the peer-reviewed journal Medical Humanities at http://mh.bmj.com). Students wishing to design such a program must submit a written rationale to the Medical Humanities Advisory Group for approval (by majority vote). This rationale must demonstrate a clear connection between the selected courses and a major senior research project (which must entail writing a paper of significant length), and must also have been approved (by signature) by two faculty members, at least one of whom must represent a CLA discipline, and who will supervise the student and grade the final project. The student’s plan of study should be based on a reasonable expectation that the courses selected will be offered within the timeframe proposed for completion of the degree. Must total at least 30 credit hrs.

4. Total of forty documented service hours, normally by the end of the Junior year, at co-operating sites with medical service function (hospice, etc.), including sites abroad. All majors must meet practica requirements, including successful completion of BIOL 258 or 203, 30 BU hours earned, and a 3.2 GPA. These service hours may be integrated into the capstone course.

5. 300-level capstone course (3), Medical Humanities in Action, which includes group research project in interdisciplinary areas that serve the public interest, i.e. public health, epidemiology and policy, provider/patient relations, medicine “across borders” (disciplinary, global, cultural, etc.), health and medicine in schools; should involve team teaching, outside speakers, “authentic” work in the community.

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