Courses in Inteflex (Division
397)
211. Introduction to Health Care, I. (4). (HU).
This course is for undergraduates with an interest in health care and
the health sciences. It introduces students to the fundamental concepts
behind understandings of health and the theory and practice of health care.
Selected literature will raise questions such as: What is health? What is
illness? What is a healer? What is health care? Why support or practice
health care? Possible answers will be drawn from religious, philosophical,
literary, psychological, and historical perspectives. Even more fundamental
assumptions underlying health care will be exposed and explored, such as
our ideas about personhood, human welfare, death, and the "life force."
Because technology has played such a large role in shaping and executing
ideas about health care, we will also survey the history of medical technology
and address questions regarding its value. Extensive use will be made of
guest lecturers, panel discussions, films, and other alternative modes of
presentation. Assignments will be divided between formal tests and writing
assignments. The formal tests (midterm and final) will cover the course
content: readings, lectures, and discussions. The writing assignments will
include two research projects and weekly discussion notes.