Undergraduate Catalog

Science, Medicine and Society Minor

College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Program
Director: Dr. Peter Distelzweig (PHIL)
Science, Medicine, and Society Department Web Site

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.

Science, Medicine & Society Minor

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 400-level Theology courses:
  • THEO 420 Theology and the Biomedical Revolution (4 credits) / THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Bioethics (4 credits)
  • THEO 437 Christian Faith and the Health Care Professions (4 credits) / THEO 229: Professions: Faith & Health (4 credits)
  • THEO 472 Theology and Public Health (4 credits) / THEO 229: Professions: Faith & Publ Hlth (4 credits)
  • With approval of the program director:
    • THEO 434 Science and Christian Theology (4 credits) / THEO 224: Bridges: Theology & Science (4 credits)
    • THEO 449 Theology and Engineering ( 4 credits) / THEO 229: Professions: Faith & ENGR (4 credits)
    • Another 400-level Theology course / THEO 200-level 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.