Literature and Medicine

 

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%

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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

1. Arriving late or leaving early equals to an absence. The tolerance will be five minutes.

2. Coming in and out of the class repeatedly will translate into an absence.

3. 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.