In the Medical Humanities, Health, and Culture minor, students explore health and health-care practices through multiple disciplines, including literature, theology, history, and philosophy, as well as natural and social sciences. From each vantage, humanistic and cultural approaches to medicine and the body are emphasized. The minor, rigorously interdisciplinary in its approach, draws on Boston College’s commitment to social justice, ethics, and care for the whole person. This is a useful program for students interested in careers in medicine, health care policy or law, psychology, public or global health, social work, patient advocacy, or medical journalism. It is also helpful for students interested in exploring historical, narrative and cultural contexts for current (and at times competing) ideas about illness, the body, and representation.

The minor is comprised of 18 credits. Courses (not necessarily in sequence) include:

• a required Introductory course (EN 212);
• four electives from a designated list of approved courses;
• and a final senior elective culminating in a substantial writing project (25 pages).

In addition, minors will be encouraged to take part in reading groups, film series, conferences and relevant local events.

Working with advisors, students will choose electives from at least three different departments.

Students interested in learning more or in registering for the minor should contact the Director, Amy Boesky, in Stokes 437S or email boesky@bc.edu to set up an appointment.

News and Events

Reading Group

Monday, September 23 7:30-9:00 p.m., Stokes 203N
Elizabeth Graver,
“The Mourning Door”

Monday, October 28 7:00-8:30 p.m., Stokes 203N
Jill Bolte Taylor,
My Stroke of Insight

Monday, December 2 7:00-8.30 p.m., Stokes 203N
Cheryl Strayed,
“Heroin/Heroine”

Symposium on Narrative, Genetics and Identity

Co-hosted with the ILA
November 21-22, 2013
Keynote speaker: Rita Charon, Columbia University

Film Series

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