Medicine has long been described as both science and art; the literature of medicine reflects this. Short stories and novels often center around medical tales. Narrative medicine stories—by doctors, nurses, patients, family members, other stake holders—provide rich accounts of how individuals feel when engaging with one another around an illness. Grief and illness memoirs focus on emotions and experiences of those navigating the kingdom of the sick. All of these “parallel charts” contrast with the dry, standard medical charts that address illness exclusively through data and care plans, enriching our understanding of wellness and illness.

Format: Each week we will discuss an essay, article, book chapter, short story or poem based around a health narrative. We’ll consider the medical topic itself, who controls the narrative and tells the story, thorny issues of appropriation, cultural variations in perceptions of illness and health, and ways that racism, sexism, and speciesism have plagued health, disease and clinical practices. We will consider how these literary forms advance the healing powers of narrative.

Resources/Expenses: Participants will choose a topic from the syllabus where links to sources and PDFs will be available.