Medical Humanities

Delve Into Medicine of the Past and Today

The Medical Humanities Minor at Miami University explores the historical, philosophical, literary, and ethical dimensions of medicine from the past to the present. This interdisciplinary program helps students understand how culture, society, and human experience shape healthcare, illness, and medical practice. By integrating perspectives from history, literature, philosophy, and ethics, students gain insight into the humanistic side of healthcare while strengthening critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills.

The minor provides valuable breadth for students pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, psychotherapy, dentistry, public health, and social work, as well as fields such as healthcare policy, nonprofit leadership, healthcare marketing, insurance, research, and consulting. Designed to complement a wide range of majors, the 18-credit hour program enhances students’ understanding of medicine’s social and ethical challenges while preparing them to communicate effectively in healthcare and related professions.

Curriculum and Courses for the Medical Humanities Minor

The Medical Humanities minor consists of eighteen hours of study (six courses) from the introductory to the senior level, including historical surveys, major author courses, and courses in special topics. Courses taken for credit/no credit will not count toward the hours required for the minor. Below are some of the courses in the curriculum.

• HST 236 Medicine and Disease in Modern Society
• APC 201 Introduction to Health and Risk Communication
• CLS 336 Ancient Sexualities
• HST 385 Race, Science, and Disease in the Americas
• PHL 375 Medical Ethics
• SOC 357 Medical Sociology
  

Facts and Stats

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