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Science, Medicine & Society

Program Overview

College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Program
Director: Dr. Peter Distelzweig (PHIL)

Science, Medicine, and Society Department Website

The “Science, Medicine, and Society” (SMDS) minor provides students with interdisciplinary, critical and constructive perspective on medicine, science, health and disease today. Through course offerings in the humanities and (mainly) social and behavioral sciences the minor explores contemporary and historical perspectives on: (1) the concepts of health and disease; and (2) the cultural, social, institutional, and geophysical context of science, medicine, and health care. It will help students better analyze, evaluate, and positively influence these important forces shaping society today.

Minor in Science, Medicine & Society

All students must take:

  • PHIL 241 History and Philosophy of Medicine (4 credits)
    or PHIL 385 Philosophy of Science* with approval of program director
  • PHIL 254 Biomedical Ethics (4 credits)

Plus one of the following 200-level Theology courses:

  • THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Bioethics (4 credits)
  • THEO 229: Professions: Faith & Health (4 credits)
  • THEO 229: Professions: Faith & Publ Hlth (4 credits)
  • With approval of the program director:
    • THEO 224: Bridges: Theology & Science (4 credits)
    • THEO 229: Professions: Faith & ENGR (4 credits)
    • Another 200-level Theology course

Electives (12 Credits):

Group 1 - Humanities and Communication, choose up-to four credits:

  • COMM 372 Communication & Environment (4 credits)
  • ENGL 256 Introduction to Professional Writing (4 credits)
  • PHIL 385 Philosophy of Science* (4 credits)
  • Other courses as pre-approved by the program director

*PHIL 385 may not count towards both Science, Medicine and Society core AND elective requirements.

Group 2 - Social, Behavioral and Natural Sciences, choose up-to 12 credits:

  • BIOL 106 Women, Medicine and Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 110 Genetics and Society (4 credits)
  • BIOL 161/GEOL 161 Medical Geology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 361/GEOL 461 Medical Geology (4 credits)
  • ECON 324 Health Economics (4 credits)
  • GEOG 350 Geography of Global Health (4 credits)
  • HLTH 120 Foundations of Health Promotion (2 credits)
  • HLTH 250 Personal Health and Wellness (2 or 4 credits)
  • POLS 205 Citizen Participation and Public Policy (4 credits)
  • PSYC 121 Social Psychology or PSYC 151 Cross-Cultural Psychology (4 credits)
  • PSYC 207 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)
  • PSYC 301 Psychopathology (4 credits)
  • PSYC 365 Health Psychology (4 credits)
  • PUBH 220 Intro to Public Health and Social Justice (4 credits)
  • PUBH 225 Global Heath and Development (4 credits)
  • SOCI 110 Social Problems (4 credits)
  • SOCI 251 Race and Ethnicity (4 credits)
  • Other courses as pre-approved by the program director.

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