Interdisciplinary Coursework
Ethics 140FS: I’m Suffering: How Science and Stories shape us
Freshmen Fall, Dr. Ray Barfield/Stephanie Holmer
Course Description: “This is a course about how a genuine encounter with the stories told by people, or groups of people, can bolster, undermine, and reorient our otherwise abstract philosophical, political, and scientific accounts of various forms of suffering – the suffering of individuals, marginalized groups and the environment.“
This is a course about how a genuine encounter with the stories told by people, or groups of people, can bolster, undermine, and reorient our otherwise abstract philosophical, political, and scientific accounts of various forms of suffering – the suffering of individuals, marginalized groups and the environment.
Learned about the importance of narratives of science and suffering in medicine through philosophical and literary discourse. it opened my eyes to looking at medical care through a new more-inclusive perspective. It’s always a welcome break from STEM classes and I thoroughly enjoyed pushing the boundaries of my knowledge on certain topics within the realm of medical stories.
Hours: 140 (10 hr/week, 14 weeks total)
Psychology 212: Forensic Psychology
Senior Fall, Dr. John Blackshear
Course Description: “Within the field of psychology, forensic psychology has become an important focus of the criminal justice system, clinical practice of psychology as well as scientific research. Forensic Psychology is the endeavor that examines aspects of human behavior directly related to the legal process and the professional practice of psychology within a legal system that embraces both criminal and civil law and their interactions.”
An important aspect of clinical care is understanding the psychological contexts a patient emerges from and exists in. This class gave me an important perspective on how cultural, familial, and societal forces including poverty, generational trauma, and stressors play in an important role in molding a person’s character, physical wellbeing, and psychological outlook. They are important determinants in catering holistic care and guidance for a patient and this course taught me to be empathetic to the experiences and events that shape a person into who they are in the present.
Hours: 120 (10 hr/week, 12 weeks total)
Documentary Studies 202S: Children and the Experience of Illness
Senior Spring, Dr. John Moses
Course Description: “How do children experience illness and by what means can we gain a perspective of their world? Using photography and literature, this course will take a documentary approach to gaining an understanding and appreciation of illness through the eyes of children…”
This course explored the intersectionality medicine and photography, two of my longstanding passions, to elucidate and share the human experience of illness. As the course continues, I am gaining a deep appreciation of the long history of medical documentary photography and medical literature. We will be working with pediatric patients to give them the chance to use photography as a creative tool for visual expression with the goal of creating an exhibition piece for the end of the semester. It has also opened my mind to the power of alternative therapy through art and imagination to transform patients – mental wellbeing and positive interactions indeed manifest themselves in physiology and can be useful tools to supplement traditional therapeutics.
Seeing the power of storytelling and the moving discussions we’ve had in the classroom have strengthened my resolve to continue pursuing a medical education and potentially explore pediatrics as a potential future field.
Hours: 120 (10 hr/week, 12 weeks total)
Biochemistry
Junior Fall, Dr. Brian Coggins
Course Description: “Chemistry of the constituents of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids and their metabolic interrelationships.”
Learned about the intersection of biology and chemistry as it pertains to the micro level chemical functions of the body. To truly understand treatment schemes for the body, it is important to incorporate a whole system approach to human biology into the framework of thought.
This class will give me a greater understanding of the vast number of processes that are required to keep the body functioning and will better prepare me to design medicines that can aid these subsystems.
Hours: 120 (10 hr/week, 12 weeks total)
CHEM 210L: Modern Applications of Chemical Principles
Junior Spring, Dr. Dorian Canelas
Course Description: “Modern applications of chemistry in context of larger scientific theme, e.g. in biology, materials science, or environmental chemistry.”
This course allowed me to explore the applications of inorganic chemical techniques and concepts through the lens of a traditional lecture as well as a hands-on lab component. In many ways this class brought an age-old love for chemistry to the forefront in a new light. It helped me realize the practical applications of inorganic chemistry in various contexts ranging energy to medicine and the underlying chemical principles in varying modern issues.
It has provided me with a deeper comprehension of the methods and techniques derived from inorganic chemistry that may be utilized in drug production and pharmaceuticals, building a foundation for future research projects and the creation of better synergistic treatment programs with drugs and immunotherapy in my research going forward.
Hours: 180 (15 hr/week, 12 weeks total)
