Medical Humanities Applied Minor (AM)
The medical humanities applied minor is designed to help you develop a more holistic understanding of health care, healing, illness and human dignity. Through relevant classes in the social sciences and humanities, you will gain valuable insight into how social and cultural categories mediate health care, how technology transforms the practice of medicine, the differences between evidence-based and narrative approaches to medicine and the lived experience of illness and healing.
The medical humanities minor was developed thanks to a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded to Earlham Professor of Psychology Vince Punzo and Professor of Chemistry Mike Deibel.
Frequently asked questions
The medical humanities applied minor consists of 1) humanities and social sciences courses focused on health, illness and medicine; 2) civic engagements related to the medical allied health fields or public health; and 3) an integrated culminating experience.
In your research and course work, you will explore the cultural and psychological influences that shape experiences of health, healing and illness as well examine global models and personal narratives of health care. Civic engagements will provide the opportunity for you to experience the ways in which conceptual notions of empathy, care and dignity are instantiated in health care settings.
Applied minors (AMs) are distinctive programs allowing you to personalize your education and to help you make direct connections between academic interests and co-curricular activities.
To earn an applied minor in medical humanities, you must:
- Complete a combination of four or five approved courses (15 credit hours) from the humanities and social sciences.
- Complete a related co-curricular activity. Previous co-curricular activities have included volunteering at a regional healthcare setting, job shadowing with a healthcare professional, and much more!
- Complete a culminating experience. This could be a relevant summer research or project, a medical narrative project or a public presentation at the spring Presentation of Learning event.
- Medical humanities students who begin jobs directly after graduation tend to have jobs related to public health, health access, or research positions in health- or medicine-related labs. Many students pursue advanced degrees in medicine (MD, DO), nursing, public health or other healthcare fields.
- Students who want to become licensed healthcare providers will need to earn advanced degrees and pass relevant licensure exams. Students should review prerequisites for various healthcare pathways and be in touch with the Center for Global Health early in their Earlham career.
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The medical humanities applied minor integrates the ethics, history and cultural understandings of medicine. It’s been essential in helping me to understand healthcare from a comprehensive perspective.”
— Aouss Azzouz ’25
Biochemistry Major
Have questions?
Learn more about declaring your interest in an applied minor and find answers to other questions you may not even know you have.
Our faculty
The medical humanities applied minor is a program taught by Earlham professors within the Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, English, Religion, and Ancient and Classical studies majors. Questions about the program or course qualifications can be directed to the medical humanities convener, Vince Punzo.