ENGLIT
541 Literature and Medicine
CAPA
PittMAP Global Health Spring 2018
Faculty
name : Dr.
Daniel Scarfo
E-mail :
alfajoraltazor@gmail.com
Class
times : Day and time
Classroom
location : Name and number of classroom
Office
Hours : Day
and Time or «by appointment»
Course
Description
Every
healing practice is a humanistic practice; literature can also be a
medicine, which can teach us about life, illness and cure. The
medical practice is also a symptoms-reading practice, that also
includes the accounts -- not unfrequently literary -- that patients
produce about their pains. Ever since Aristotle’s association of
tragedy with catharsis, literature and medicine have been intertwined
in the Western tradition.
Literature
has an enormous capacity to teach us about suffering, pain,
loneliness, death and the human condition. It is possible to take
some literary works as points of departure to discuss the
representations of the diverse healing spaces and ask ourselves on
our own healing and literary experiences. Some of the many stories
that we will read or refer to might be of your interest in order to
expand the repertoire of questions and tools used to better
understand the cultural dimensions of medical practices, medicine as
reading, and reading as medicine.
Learning
Outcomes
The
course aims to:
i.
Expose students to the ways in which the fields of “literature and
“medicine” have been linked and are related, and to gain a sense
of the centrality of narrative to both fields;
ii.
Introduce students to texts which enable them to examine the
interrelations between ideas of healing and well-being and the
purpose of literature as a medicine for the human condition;
iii.
To give students ways of understanding and articulating a sense of
the bridges between what C.P. Snow has called “The Two Cultures”
of Sciences/Humanities.
Developmental
Outcomes
Students
should demonstrate: responsibility & accountability, independence
& interdependence, goal orientation, self-confidence, resilience,
appreciation of differences.
Class
methodology
Student’s
responsibilities:
●Following
the professor’s instructions regarding content, structure, format,
etc.
●Meeting
the deadlines
●Submitting
the assignment properly
●Making
sure the assignment is received by the professor
The
burden of delivery falls on the student, who is responsible for
checking the file is not corrupted and that file format can be opened
with any standard software. Students are encouraged to CC or CCO
themselves at a different address to make sure the email is
deliverable and the file can be opened. Missing the deadline will
result in losing one point every 24 hours past the deadline.
Presentations
(2 pages + discussion, 15 mins. total): Students read short papers
aloud in class. Presentations offer a brief reading of a writer. Each
student leads class discussion with 2 questions after his or her
presentation. Students hand in hard copies of their presentations and
questions the day his/her presentation is due.
Guidelines
for the final paper (due June 25th 11:59pm)
Final
papers should demonstrate mastery of course materials and reading
practices. They should show that you have been a student in this
course and followed the class presentations and discussions. Also,
a)
The paper should be between 8 and 10 pages, not including the
bibliography.
b)
I recommend to start writing many more pages (early!!!) and then
proceed to clean up the document from there.
c)
I expect an essay on one of the topics we discuss in class or that
are available in the syllabus, or a topic in a dialogue with them,
and you should keep that dialogue.
d)
It must also show a dialogue or discussion with at least one text
from the bibliography.
e)
Then you can also add all the bibliography you want to add (available
or not in the syllabus)
f)
originality of thinking, perceptiveness in reading, quality and
clarity of writing, and breadth of scholarship will be specially
taken into consideration when grading the paper.
Formatting
Instructions:
Assignments should be double-spaced with standard margins in 12-point
Times New Roman font. Number pages and include a title. Do not
include additional spaces between paragraphs.
The
day the paper is due, send a digital copy to scarfedu@yahoo.com.ar
and alfajoraltazor@gmail.com
Assessment/Grading
Policy
Class
participation 20%
Presentation
on Selected Writer 20%
Multiple
Choice Test 1 15%
Multiple
Choice Test 2 15%
Final
Paper 30%
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Overall
grade 100%
|
DESCRIPTOR
|
ALPHA
|
NUMERIC
|
GPA
|
REQUIREMENT/EXPECTATION
|
|
Outstanding
(High
Distinction)
|
A
|
93+
|
4.0
|
Maximum
grade: In addition to description for grade “A-“, the student
shows detailed understanding of materials about which he or she
can show independent analytical ability. This means the
ability to question an issue from different perspectives and
evaluate responses in an objective manner.
|
|
Excellent
(Distinction)
|
A-
|
90
- 92
|
3.7
|
Student
shows understanding of literature beyond the textbook/class
hand-outs/class notes, and the work shows a high level of
independent thought, presents informed and insightful discussion
and demonstrates a well-developed capacity for evaluation.
|
|
Very
good
(High
Credit)
|
B+
|
87
- 89
|
3.3
|
Shows
evidence of a capacity to generalise from the taught content, or
the material in literature, or from class lectures in an informed
manner. Also, the work demonstrates a capacity to integrate
personal reflection into the discussion and an appreciation of a
range of different perspectives.
|
|
Good
(Credit)
|
B
|
83
– 86
|
3.0
|
The
work is well organised and contains coherent or logical
argumentation and presentation.
|
|
Good
(Credit)
|
B-
|
80
- 82
|
2.7
|
Student
shows understanding of literature beyond the textbook and/or
notes, and, there is evidence of additional reading.
|
|
Average
(Good
Pass)
|
C+
|
77-79
|
2.3
|
The
work demonstrates a capacity to integrate research into the
discussion and a critical appreciation of a range of theoretical
perspectives. Also, the work demonstrates a clear
understanding of the question and its theoretical implications and
demonstrates evidence of additional reading.
|
|
Adequate
(Pass)
|
C
|
73
- 76
|
2.0
|
Shows
clear understanding and some insight into the material in the
textbook and notes, but not beyond. A deficiency in
understanding the material may be compensated by evidence of
independent thought and effort related to the subject matter.
|
|
Below
Average
(Borderline
Pass)
|
C-
|
70-72
|
1.7
|
Shows
some understanding of the material in the textbook and notes. A
deficiency in any of the above may be compensated by evidence of
independent thought related to the subject matter.
|
|
Inadequate
(Borderline
Fail)
|
D+
|
67
- 69
|
1.3
|
Fails
to show a clear understanding or much insight into the material in
the textbook and notes
|
|
Poor
(Fail)
|
D
|
60
- 66
|
0.7
– 1.0
|
Besides
the above for D+, student has not shown interest or engagement in
the class work or study.
|
|
Poor
(Fail)
|
F
|
<60
|
0
|
Shows
little or no understanding of any of the material
|
|
Incomplete
|
I
|
|
|
Please
see CAPA policy in the Faculty Handbook.
|
Course
Materials
Course
readings will be provided to you by the professor.
Weekly
Course Schedule
The
date listed on our schedule is the day for which the reading should
have been completed for discussion. Students will be expected to
bring their copies (or the electronic version) of the designated text
to every class.
Class
1 (March 19) Introduction
to the topic
Class
2 (March 20)
Aristotle and the idea of Catharsis: Literature as a purging of
Emotions. The
Epic of Gilgamesh;
the oldest sorrow in the world: Mortality and the Human Condition;
the herb of immortality. Gilgamesh Civilization as Cure.
Seneca/Plutarch/Boethius: the Consolation
of Philosophy. Giovanni
Boccaccio, Decameron.
Burton's The
Anatomy of Melancholy:
knowledge/writing as cure for what ails us; “I writ of melancholy
to be rid of melancholy”. Renaissance Humanism and the cure.
Middlemarch:
The Emergence of Modern Medicine and the diagnosis of the ills of
provincial life. Art and Medicine, twin arts of healing. Social
Change and Medicine. Ibsen, An
enemy of the people.
Robert Stevenson, The
Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Williams Carlos Williams, The
use of force.
Class
3 (March 22)
Franz Kafka, The
metamorphosis and
“A Country Doctor”
Class
4 (March 26) Albert
Camus, The
plague
Class
5 (March 27)
John Berger, A
fortunate man
Class
6 (April 3) Susan
Sontag's
Illness as metaphor and
Aids and its metaphors
Multiple
Choice Examination
I
Class
7 (April 5)
Student presentations
Class
8 (April 9) Student
presentations
Class
9 (April 10)
Raymond Carver, “Errand” and “A small good thing”
Class
10 (April 12)
Movie: Awakenings
Class
11 (April 16) House
M.D.
Class
12 (April 17)
Multiple Choice II and Readings on Medical Humanities today
Class
13 (April 19)
Final papers individual discussions
Attendance,
Participation & Student Responsibilities
Attendance:
CAPA
has a mandatory attendance policy. Attendance
is taken at the beginning of every class. Unauthorized absence from
class will result in a reduction of the final grade and potentially a
failure for the course. If
as a result of being absent a student misses an exam, he/she will
receive zero points and fail the class.
It
is up to the Director to decide whether an absence is justified due
to an illness or other force majeure causes. (In case of medical
emergencies which require hospitalization, or disastrous family
circumstances exceptions will be made.) The student will have to
produce proof of such situations. In any case, only two absences are
normally allowed for any reason. There is no distinction between
“excused” and “unexcused” absences: whether you notify me
beforehand or not; whether it is due to illness, or unforeseen
emergency, or family responsibilities; or simply because you are too
tired; or because of athletic events, you have to accept the
consequences of your absence-- missing a quiz; having points docked
for not turning in an assignment, etc. Please consult me or your
classmates about assignments, especially after having missed a class:
do not come to the next one unprepared. If you miss a class, please
get notes from a classmate.
Punctuality
Arriving
late or leaving early equals to an absence. The tolerance will be
five minutes.
Coming
in and out of the class repeatedly will translate into an absence.
It
is up to the faculty to make exceptions. The student must inform
and explain the situation in advance or as soon as circumstances
allow him/her to.
Missing
classes for medical reasons:
If you need to miss a class for medical reasons or for a family
emergency, you
must send an e-mail
to let the Resident Director know at least one hour in advance of
your class or meeting. You will need to provide evidence of the
reason for your absence. Unexcused absences will result in a grade
reduction. In the event of a missed class or field trip, it is your
responsibility to contact your instructor and make up any missed
assignments.
Class
Participation:
Students are expected to participate actively and critically in class
discussions, and the participation portion of the class will be
graded accordingly. Students must read assignments BEFORE the class,
and come in on time.
Participation
is a vital part of your grade: students
are expected to participate orally in seminars and in online forums
and discussions in a critical and evaluative manner; to interact with
the faculty and fellow students with respect and tolerance; and to
actively engage in discussion. Derogatory or inflammatory comments
about the cultures, perspectives or attitudes of others in the class
will not be tolerated.
Please
come to class with written notes, your questions and thoughts about
the possible meanings of the texts you have read. What strikes you?
What paragraphs, elements, or points seem to you to be the most
significant or enigmatic? Why? I note participation at the end of
each session. Come to class each day ready to participate. Complete
all reading, bring assigned texts to class, and try to speak at every
meeting. If you do not bring your text, if you have not read it
before the class or seem distracted, you will not receive
participation credit that day.
This
is a reading-intensive course, requiring a commitment to reading,
comprehending, and analyzing demanding texts. In addition, I require
students to be fully engaged with the material, and will demand your
utmost attention in class and rigorous devotion to preparation for
the course outside it. While you are not expected to have fully
mastered every aspect of the materials, you are required to have at
least a basic understanding of and response to the materials--what is
happening in the text, who’s doing what, to whom, where, and
why--when you come to class.
We
will not be able to go over all the readings in class, but you are
still responsible for knowing what was not discussed in class. You
may/will be tested on all the materials, including the introductions.
You will be able to produce evidence of reading the texts with your
participation in class and with the Multiple Choice Tests that you
will have to take.
Academic
Integrity: A
high level of responsibility and academic honesty is expected.
Because the value of an academic course depends upon the absolute
integrity of the work done by the student, it is imperative that a
student demonstrates a high standard of individual honor in his or
her scholastic work and class behavior. Plagiarism and cheating will
result in dismissal from the program. See the Handbook of CAPA
Academic Policies for more information and resources on plagiarism.
Use
of electronic equipment in class:
All
devices such as
laptops, I-pods, I-pads, netbooks, notebooks and tablets,
smartphones, cell phones, etc. are NOT
allowed unless you have express permission from the faculty or you
have been instructed to do so. If you require an accommodation to use
any type of electronic equipment, inform the Director at the
beginning of Term.
Late
Submission:
Late submission of papers, projects, journal entries, pieces of
homework and portfolios is only permitted with prior approval. A
request must be made to the relevant Faculty member no later than two
days prior to the due date. Late submission without prior approval
will result in a full alpha grade penalty. In either case, work
cannot be submitted after feedback has been provided to the rest of
the class on the relevant assessment or one week after the due date
whichever comes first, after which point a grade of F will be given
for the assessment.
Behavior
during Examinations:
During
examinations, you must do your own work. Unless specifically
instructed by the lecturer or instructor, talking during an exam is
not permitted, nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or
collaborate in any way. Any failure to abide by examination rules
will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to failure of the
course and disciplinary action.
