Health Humanities

The complex problems of sustainability and habitability that we now face urgently require applications of the health, natural, and social sciences combined with the transformative powers of the humanities. By bringing science into dialogue with humanities we strengthen our potential to imagine and build sustainable and habitable worlds at multiple scales. Learning to understand  that the health and wellbeing of humans and the planet are two sides of the same coin is crucial for the survival of life on Earth.

The Health Humanities minor enables holistic understandings of human and planetary health by drawing together humanities (language, visual, and performing arts, philosophy, and history) and scientific perspectives (health, natural, and social science) on the five-dimensions of human experience (biological, ecological, mental, social, and cultural) with nonhuman-centric studies (other-than-human forms of life, natural systems) and practices. It cultivates ethical and caring dispositions, transdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and competencies for the health and wellbeing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) at the core of the United Nations SDG agenda in multi-scalar terms. The tools the minor provides can serve many purposes, including careers in health care, management, education, social work, public relations, occupational therapy, counseling, environmental protection, expressive arts therapy, media, politics, child development, animal welfare advocacy, and intercultural communication.

The minor can be individualized in consultation with the program coordinator. Internship options are available.