Spring 2019
Core Course
Introduction to Medical Humanities
MDHM 201
Instructor: Bailar, Melissa
An ethnographically grounded exploration of the political, social, and intimate relations that constitute care in various situations of life and death. We ask how particular populations come to be understood as requiring, receiving, or being entitle to care? Who becomes obliged to provide care? And what are care's collateral effects? Credit cannot be earned for ANTH 342 and ANTH 542. (See Registrar's listing.)
Electives
Medicine and the Museum
RELI 335
Instructor: Brennan, Marcia
Through weekly visits to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this class develops key skills and engages relevant themes relating to medicine and caregiving, including observation and description, embodiment and motion, eros and suffering, vulnerable populations, grief and loss, human mortality and spiritual transcendence. (See Registrar's listing.)
Medicine and Media
ENGL 273
Instructor: Ostherr, Kirsten
An interdisciplinary exploration of the role of imaging technologies in the practice of medicine, and the role of mass media in shaping our understandings of the body, health, and disease. This course examines visual media structure "ways of seeing" for physicians and for the public. Emphasis will be placed on developing media literacy skills. Cross-list: SWGS 273. (See Registrar's listing.)
Science Policy & Ethics
NSCI 511
Instructor: Matthews, Kirstin
An introduction to the policy, ethics, politics, and legal issues that relate to science and technology - discovery and application. This course presents a framework for analyzing ethical issues in business and professional work. The course then explores the ways in which government policy and business practices can promote or inhibit advances in science and technology while influencing the ethical choices of the professionals involved. Case studies will be used. (See Registrar's listing.)
Medical Anthropology
ANTH 381
Instructor: Mitchell, Beverly
Cultural, ecological, and biological perspectives on human health and disease throughout the world. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: ANTH 581. Mutually Exclusive: Credit cannot be earned for ANTH 381 and ANTH 581. (See Registrar's listing.)
Biology & Medicine
BIOC 447/547
Instructor: Matthews, Kirstin
Current biological methods offer the potential to transform health care. We will examine the biology and methodology of emergent health care technologies such as stem cell therapy and personal genome sequencing to understand their potential to impact human health. (See Registrar's listing.)
Bioethics & Indian Traditions
ASIA 338
Instructor: Donaldson, Brianne
We will examine western normative ethical theories alongside key concepts in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism regarding definitions of life, death, consciousness, autonomy, disability, pain/pleasure, and how to make decisions in issues such as animal research, disorders of consciousness, abortion, and assisted suicide, among others. (See Registrar's listing.)
Consciousness, India, Science
ASIA 339
Instructor: Donaldson, Brianne
This course explores consciousness from ancient Indian philosophies (Jain, Buddhist, and Samkhya-Yoga), alongside western concepts of consciousness from Pythagoras to modern neuroscience and animal consciousness, touching briefly upon Judeo-Christian and Taoist concepts. 2-3 guest speakers will aid our investigation. (See Registrar's listing.)
Race & Medicine in America
HIST 208
Instructor: Smith, Sean
This course explores how medical theories have supported racial inequalities in American history from the beginning of European settlement until today. It traces the emergence of the concept of race, its effect on the development of modern medicine, and medicine’s continuing reliance on race as a category of analysis. (See Registrar's listing.)
Medical Communication
COMM 415
Instructor: Burke, Nixon
This course introduces students to key issues, theories, and debates related to medical communication, while also helping students develop and reflect on their own communication strategies, and skills as future health care professionals. Sophomores and Freshmen who have fulfilled Rice's First-year Writing-Intensive Seminar requirement for graduation may register by a Special Registration Form. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Sucessfully completed one course, FWIS 101 to 199, to fulfill the Rice's First-year Writing-Intensive Seminar requirement for graduation. (See Registrar's listing.)
Sociology of Mental Health
SOCI 344
Instructor: Brown, Tony
This course investigates the meaning and significance of mental health, with heavy emphasis on the social construction of mental illness; positive psychology and psychological well-being; psychiatric epidemiology; stigma and labeling; and culture and social control. Social determinants of mental health are also discussed. (See Registrar's listing.)
Death and Dying
PHIL 339
Instructor: Yao, Vida
How are we to respond to the fact of death? This course examines the moral, metaphysical and personal issues surrounding the death of persons. Readings from analytic philosophy and the bioethics literature. (See Registrar's listing.)
Latin American Illness & Literature
SPPO 370
Instructor: Heffes, Gisela
What is an illness? How do we define a sick body? How can literature, films and art convey suffering and healing? How do traditional histories of medicine structure sickness? Is there a perception –and representation– of illness that can be specific to Latin American culture? How does the Spanish language address issues of sickness, disability, and pain? This course will explore experiences of illness, suffering and pain through the readings of narratives, works of theory and criticism, and the writings of artists themselves. Discussions will place the narratives of illness in the intersections with the history of public health, biomedical history, and the sociocultural history of disease in Latin America. Within the framework of the Medical Humanities minor, students will learn to recognize the value and relevance of literature and writing to their personal, educational and professional growth. There is an experiential learning component, at Aishel House Houston, associated with the course. (See Registrar's listing.)
Practica
Medical Professionalism and Observership
NSCI 399
Instructor: Merlo, Gia
NSCI 399 consists of lectures to enhance your knowledge of medical professionalism, a writing experience aimed at reflecting on your experiences in both the lectures and clinical settings, and an opportunity to shadow a physician and/or observe in the operating room, intensive care unit or other clinical unit at Houston Methodist hospital. Once enrolled, students will have the opportunity to review the experiences of past students to select a specialty that closely aligns with your goals and expectations. Please note, matching with physicians will not occur until students begin matriculating in NSCI 399. The physician selection process will be explained during class. The process and application deadlines can be found using the following link: https://goo.gl/HD7zsO. NOTE: Space is limited and registration for NSCI 009 DOES NOT GUARANTEE a seat in NSCI 399. (See Registrar's listing.)
Health, Humanism & Society Practicum 2
MDHM 403
Instructor: Mulligan, John
Humanities and social science students are matched with medical humanities research projects in TMC. Students conduct research under guidance of on-site supervisor and follow curriculum under guidance of Rice faculty, developing skills for careers after graduation. Continuation of MDHM 402 as yearlong sequence. (See Registrar's listing.)
Practicum in Health Humanities
MDHM 430
Instructor: Mulligan, John
This research-based course is conducted in partnership with health institutions in Houston. Qualified and advanced students work 10 hours/week on site with health professionals, archivists, center directors, and others to develop projects in specific research areas. Students meet regularly with instructor to discuss research and to present work at an end of semester symposium. (See Registrar's listing.)