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Health Humanities

The Health Humanities minor is an interdisciplinary program that encourages the integration of humanities into healthcare and medical practices.

What is Health Humanities?

Health Humanities

The Health Humanities minor is an interdisciplinary program that encourages the integration of humanities into healthcare and medical practices. Drawing insights from science, social science, humanities, and health services, it nurtures introspection, fostering thorough and thoughtful critical reflection of health, illness, and human suffering. It acknowledges the diverse definitions, perspectives, and experiences of health, healing, and illness.

Its aim is to equip students for conscientious decision-making as healthcare practitioners and responsible members of society. This goal is achieved through examination of ethical debates, the principles guiding healthcare, and exploration of the socio-cultural context of medicine and medical care. Moreover, through attention to storytelling and patient narratives, the minor facilitates a deeper understanding of patients' experiences, hence promoting empathy and communication among healthcare professionals for more patient-centered care.

Program Details

Curriculum

What are the requirements for a minor in Health Humanities at Holy Family?

Required course:

HHUM 101: Humanities and Healthcare (3 Credits):

This course is inherently interdisciplinary, delving into the humanistic aspects of healthcare central to Health Humanities. Students engage in close reading, research, and analytical and reflective writing, honing their abilities to communicate effectively, think critically, and evaluate ethical dilemmas. The course underscores the interconnected dimensions of health/illness, promoting cultural competency.

  • (GNED Tier 2 course)

Elective Courses: 

Take a minimum of 15 credits from the list below, with at least one (1) course from each of the following categories:

Sciences:

  • BIOL 112 Intro to Human Biology (Tier 1 Science course)
  • BIOL 115 Introduction to Neuroscience
  • BIOL 120 Intro to Biological Principles I
  • BIOL 307 Medical Terminology (3 cr) Prerequisites: BIOL 207, minim of C or TR

 Social Sciences:

  • PSYC/SOCO 324: Loss and Grief (Tier 2 elective course) 
  • PSYC 212: Psyc of Health and Illness (Tier 2 elective course)
  • PSYC 220: Addictions-Life Perspective
  • PSYC 345:  Psychopathology (Tier 2 elective course) 
  • PSYC 357:  Developmental Psychopathology
  • PSYC 309:  Multicultural Mental Health (Tier 2 elective course)
  • HPWE 101 Intro Health/Wellness
  • PSYC 315: Psychopharmacology

Literature and Languages:

  • ENGL 316 Graphic Narratives: Health and Medicine (Tier 3 elective course)
  • ENGL 321 Lit and Disability
    • Prereqs: ENGL 101, minimum grade of C
  • ENGL 323 Healing, Illness, and Stories (Tier 3 elective course)

Humanities:

  • RELS 405 Life Death: Christian Decision Making
  • ARTS 221 Art Therapy
  • PHIL 201 Philosophy of Human Nature
  • PHIL 205 Bioethics (Tier 3 elective course)
  • PHIL 218 Philosophy of Science (Tier 1 Phil. course)
  • PHIL 216 Philosophy of Love (Tier 2 elective course)
  • PHIL 307 Social Ethics

 

Program Information

Degree Awarded
  • Minor
Program Type
  • Minor
Program Location
  • Main Campus - Northeast Philadelphia

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