SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL HISTORY & ETHICS

Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for

To see the detailed Instructor Class Description, click on the underlined instructor name following the course description.

MHE 401 History of Modern Medicine (3) I&S Berryman
Survey of evolution of medical theory, practice, and institutions in European and American society from the late 18th century to the present. Medical background not required. Recommended: prior courses in sciences and/or history.
Instructor Course Description: James C Whorton

MHE 402 Ethical Theory (5) I&S Jecker
Reviews the principal theories for normative ethical discourse, such as utilitarianism and deontology, and major metaethical commentary on those theories. Illustrated by classical and modern authors. Recommended: one basic course in ethics. Offered: jointly with PHIL 412.
Instructor Course Description: Nancy A.S. Jecker

MHE 404 Metaethical Theory (5) I&S Jecker
Study of major ethical writings in the twentieth century, with principal emphasis on the Anglo-American tradition. Recommended: one introductory philosophy course. Offered: jointly with PHIL 413.
Instructor Course Description: Nancy A.S. Jecker

MHE 411 Introduction to Bioethics (3) I&S Jecker
Basic concepts, principles, and methods of analysis, with application to some major issues in the field of bioethics. Case studies utilized to illustrate nature of questions arising in bioethics and to provide students with opportunity to develop skills in ethical analysis.
Instructor Course Description: Nancy A.S. Jecker

MHE 417 Disease in History (3) I&S Whorton
Study of Western civilization's experience with epidemic disease, the growth of understanding of the causes of disease, the formation of a philosophy of prevention, and the development of programs to protect the public health. Emphasis on the last two centuries. Medical background not required.
Instructor Course Description: James C Whorton

MHE 440 Philosophy of Medicine (5) I&S Jecker
Familiarizes students with central issues in the philosophy of medicine. Focuses on the nature of medical knowledge, the connection between theory and observation, the meaning of medical concepts, and the relationship between theories and the world. Recommended: prior courses in philosophy, history of science, or history of medicine. Offered: jointly with PHIL 459.

MHE 474 Justice in Health Care (5) I&S/VLPA Jecker
Examination of the ethical problem of allocating scarce medical resources. Emphasis on fundamental principles of justice that support alternative health policies. Recommended: prior courses in philosophy or medical ethics. Offered: jointly with PHIL 411.

MHE 481 The Pursuit of Health in American Society (3) I&S Berryman, Whorton
Examination of the development of concern for personal health over the past two centuries, and of the evolution of philosophies and practices of health promotion. Emphasis on the influence of both medicine and popular culture on shaping of attitudes toward diet, exercise, alchohol, drugs, sex, and other health behavior.

MHE 483 The Rise and Development of Sports Medicine (3) I&S Berryman
Evolution of medical thought related to exercise for good health, training for sport participation, and treatment of sport-related injuries. Begins with ancient period, concludes with present. Development of specialization in sports medicine, sport team physicians, preventive medicine, concepts of fitness and wellness as related to exercise prescription, and exercise science.
Instructor Course Description: Jack W Berryman

MHE 485 Concepts of the Body in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century America (3) I&S Berryman
Investigation of ideas relating to corporeal self in nineteenth- and twentieth-century America. Evolution of physical ideals of manliness/femininity, how ideals related to surrounding culture, how different bodily activities developed to realize ideals. Athleticism, physiognomy, beauty contests, body building, decorations, cosmetics, anthropometry, and phrenology.

MHE 497 Medical History and Ethics Special Electives (*-)

Instructor Course Description: Helene Starks

MHE 498 Undergraduate Thesis (*)

MHE 499 Undergraduate Research (*, max. 5)
Investigative work in biomedical ethics or history of the biomedical sciences.

MHE 501 Alternative Approaches to Healing (2) Schneeweiss
Philosophies and practices of the major alternative approaches to healing. Historical characterization of alternative medicine accompanied by presentations by practitioners of chiropractic, naturopathic, homeopathic, and traditional Chinese medicine. Credit/no credit only.
Instructor Course Description: James C Whorton

MHE 505 Professional Seminar I (3)
Methods for identifying a bioethics research question and developing a systematic approach to investigating it, including utilization of bibliographic sources in bioethics, philosophy, history. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Instructor Course Description: Nancy A.S. Jecker

MHE 506 Professional Seminar II (2)
Capstone course for M.A. in Bioethics. Includes conducting research in ethics, writing, giving oral presentations, facilitating seminars, developing curriculum vitae, and career planning.

MHE 511 P-Medical Ethics (2)
Ethics course designed especially for first-and second-year medical students. Study of ethical problems arising in clinical setting of medicine, introducing students to philosophical analysis and argument in practical contexts. Seminar-discussion format with readings from contemporary authors. Credit/no credit only.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 512 P-The Human Face of Medicine (2)
Foundation of human values undergirding medical practice. Images of physician -- motivations for medicine, empathy versus detachment in doctor-patient relationship, health for the health-professional -- the art of coping, limits of power -- when medicine fails to cure, uses/abuses of technology, physician's role in public health issues, the healing process.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 513 P-Ethical Responsibilities of Medical Practice (2)
Provides intensive and practical guidance about management of principal ethical and legal problems that arise in clinical practice: informed consent, confidentiality, decisions regarding life-support, advance directives and surrogate decision-makers, duty to care for indigent and risky patients. Offered: one-week intensive; S.

MHE 514 Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues in Public Health Genetics (3) Kuszler, Mastroianni
Equips the student to anticipate and assess potential legal, ethical, and social barriers complicating the incursion of new genetic advances, information, and technologies into public and private health care delivery efforts. Prerequisite: GENET 371 or equivalent. Offered: jointly with LAW H 504/PHG 512.
Instructor Course Description: Anna C. Mastroianni

MHE 515 Public Commentary on Ethical Issues in Health Genetics (3)
Explores issues in public health genetics through academic commentary, personal narratives, science fiction, and film using ethical frameworks from narrative ethics, feminist ethics, and principlism. Includes cloning, assisted reproduction, prenatal genetic testing presymptomatic genetic testing, gene therapies, scientific responsibility, and GMOs. Graduate students only. Offered: jointly with PHG 525.

MHE 516 Ethical Frameworks for Public Health Genetics (2) Mastroianni
Case-based application of ethical principles in genetic medicine to range of problems arising in genetics practice, policy, research. Examination of traditional problems including eugenics and testing/screening for genetic disease, as well as emerging problems in population and environmental genetics. Prerequisite: MHE 514/PHG 512. Offered: jointly with PHG 522.

MHE 517 Preclinical Hospice Volunteer Training Elective (3) Farber, McCormick
Using lectures, small groups, role play, and readings, covers the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes that need to be mastered as a hospice volunteer. Students participate as hospice volunteers as part of their field experience. Offered: jointly with FAMED 546.

MHE 518 Spirituality in Health Care (2) Farber, McCormick
Examination of the beliefs, values, meaning, and spirituality of health professionals for the well-being of their patients as well as for themselves. Offered: jointly with FAMED 547/SOC W 587.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 521 The Ethical Challenges of Modern Medicine (3) McCormick
Case-study approach to contemporary ethical issues in medicine, utilizing techniques of ethical analysis and argument in examining actual cases arising in our pluralistic culture, where values are often in conflict. Open to graduate and professional students and others with appropriate background.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 522 Ethical Problems Surrounding Death (3) McCormick
Issues arising in care and treatment of dying patients and their families, including truthful disclosure, use of life-supports, "euthanasia," coping with death and grief. Intersection of patient and professional values related to care in terminal phase of illness. Open to graduate and professional students and others with appropriate background.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 523 Biomedical Ethics (3) McCormick
Selected topics in medical ethics emphasizing methods of ethical reasoning about moral dilemmas and contributions of philosophical theories and principles to practical problems of medicine. Students provided with opportunities to test their value assumptions and analytical skills. Open to graduate and professional students and others with appropriate background.
Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

MHE 530 Genetic Discovery in Medicine and Public Health (3) Burke
Addresses the clinical and societal implications of genetic knowledge, with an emphasis on the ethical and policy issues surrounding the use of genetic technology in medicine and public health from 1900 to the present. Offered: jointly with PHG 542.

MHE 536 Research Ethics and Regulation (3) Mastroianni
Explores the ethical principles and concepts and U.S. laws related to (1) research conducted with animals, (2) research on humans, and (3) the responsible conduct of research Required for graduate students in the Department of Medical History and Ethics, School of Medicine. Offered: jointly with LAW H 536.

MHE 541 Exercise in Modern Medicine (1) Berryman
Survey of role and place of exercise in modern medicine. Historical and contemporary analysis of physical activity and sports medicine in the American health system. Presentations by clinicians about their experiences in: orthopaedics, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, sports psychology, pediatric sports medicine, special issues of female athletes, environmental medicine.

MHE 542 Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing (3) Shannon
Reviews selected ethical issues in health care and legal guidelines relevant to health care decision-making. Explores bioethics as a type of applied ethics. Focuses on preparing students for ethical challenges in advanced nursing roles. Offered: jointly with NURS 522.

MHE 548 Introduction to Clinical Ethics (5) Burke
Introduction to history, practice, and research methods in clinical ethics. Case-based examination of methods including principalism, casuistry, narrative methods, virtue ethics. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Instructor Course Description: Wylie Burke

MHE 549 Current Topics in Clinical Ethics I (3) Dudzinski
Analysis of complex ethical cases from UWSOM clinical departments, literature, and media. Case discussion focuses on implications for delivery of medical care. Prerequisite: MHE 548 or permission of instructor.
Instructor Course Description: Denise M Dudzinski

MHE 550 Current Topics in Clinical Ethics II (3) Fryer-Edwards
Analysis of complex ethical cases from UWSOM clinical departments, literature, and media. Case discussion focuses on public policy implications. Prerequisite: MHE 548 or permission of instructor.

MHE 551 Human Genomics: Science, Ethics, and Society (4) Fullerton
Places recent advances in human molecular genetics and genomics in ethical and social context. Focuses on the rise of population-based approaches to complex trait mapping and their impact on societal understandings of community, ancestry, and public health. Prerequisite: GENOME 371; GENOME 372; PHG 512; or instructor permission. Offered: jointly with PHG 551; A.

MHE 552 Advanced Qualitative Methods (4) Starks
Examines and compares phenomenology, discourse analysis, and grounded theory. Reviews the history of ideas and critically reads examples of published articles to appreciate how each method frames questions and produces different analyses.
Instructor Course Description: Helene Starks

MHE 595 Ethics Practicum (1-6, max. 6)
Students participate in clinical ethics rounds, case discussions, review of research protocols, or other professional activities related to bioethics. Credit/no credit only. Prerequisite: by permission of instructor.

MHE 596 Masters Research Project ([1-12]-, max. 12)
Research project culminating in a scholarly paper suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Credit/no credit only. Majors only.

MHE 597 Special Topics in Medical Ethics (1-, max 15)

Instructor Course Description: Nancy A.S. Jecker

MHE 600 Independent Study or Research (*)

Instructor Course Description: Thomas R. Mc Cormick

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE MEDICAL HISTORY & ETHICS

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL HISTORY & ETHICS