Special Subject: Literature And Medicine
- Arts
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 99 pages
- 9 units
This course is designed to expose students to the interdisciplinary relationship between literature and medicine. The primary aim is to acquaint students with the representation of pathological conditions in literary texts and highlight the role of literature in narrating ethical issues in the medical profession. The course aims to create awareness of different human health situations through literary expression, focusing on the Nigerian scholarly landscape.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, research
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG801, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG801 · Unit 1: Historical Evolution of Literature and Medicine
Health and medicine are matters of public culture as well as popular culture. They encode power relations, questions of narrative method and stereotyping – and therefore might be profitably examined for language, discourse and narrative strategies in the Humanities.
What you should be able to do
- Discuss the relationship between literature and medicine
- Explain the history and origin of medical humanities
- Analyze literary texts that explore human health conditions and medical ethics
- Apply critical theories to analyze literary texts that explore biomedical knowledge
- Carry out an independent analysis of literary texts that explore human health situations
What it prepares you for
- Medical Writer
- Healthcare Journalist
- Medical Humanities Researcher
- Ethics Consultant
- Medical Educator
- Healthcare
- Publishing
- Education
- Research
- Medical Communication
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 2: Medical Ethics and Biomedical Facilities
Requires understanding of complex ethical frameworks and their application in diverse medical scenarios.
- Module 5: Theories and Methods in Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Literature and Medicine: Applicable Theories
Involves grasping abstract theoretical concepts and applying them to literary texts with medical themes.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 40 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Conceptualising Literature, Society and Public Health
Unit 1: Literature and Society: human health situations · 2 hours
Read about the social function of literature in exploring human health situations.. Analyze literary examples that reflect health challenges..
- Week 2Module 2: Nature and Historical Evolution of Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Historical Evolution of Literature and Medicine · 2 hours
Study the historical evolution of Literature and Medicine.. Examine the informal synergy between literature and medicine through classical examples..
Unit 2: Meaning, Nature and Significance of Literature and Medicine · 2 hours
Understand the formal, academic synergy between literature and medicine.. Identify key figures and milestones in the discipline's development..
- Week 3Module 3: Layers of Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Creative works by physician-writers · 3 hours
Explore creative works by physician-writers.. Analyze how their medical background influences their literary themes and perspectives..
- Week 4Module 3: Layers of Literature and Medicine
Unit 2: Creative works by patient-writers · 3 hours
Examine creative works by patient-writers.. Understand how personal experiences of illness shape their narratives and insights..
- Week 5Module 3: Layers of Literature and Medicine
Unit 3: Creative works by non-physician writers · 3 hours
Study creative works by non-physician writers.. Analyze how they portray medical themes and ethical issues from an external perspective..
- Week 6Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Physical Disease, Mental illness and Psychotherapy · 3 hours
Explore literary representations of physical disease.. Analyze how writers depict the experience and impact of physical ailments..
- Week 7Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Physical Disease, Mental illness and Psychotherapy · 3 hours
Examine literary portrayals of mental illness.. Understand the social and psychological dimensions of mental health through literature..
- Week 8Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Physical Disease, Mental illness and Psychotherapy · 3 hours
Study the role of psychotherapy in literature.. Analyze how writers depict therapeutic processes and their impact on characters..
- Week 9Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 2: Medical Ethics and Biomedical Facilities · 3 hours
Explore literary representations of medical ethics.. Analyze ethical dilemmas and moral issues in healthcare settings..
- Week 10Module 4: Topical Areas in Literature and Medicine
Unit 2: Medical Ethics and Biomedical Facilities · 3 hours
Examine literary depictions of biomedical facilities.. Understand how healthcare environments are portrayed and their impact on patients and practitioners..
- Week 11Module 5: Theories and Methods in Literature and Medicine
Unit 1: Literature and Medicine: Applicable Theories · 3 hours
Study applicable theories in Literature and Medicine.. Understand how literary theories inform the analysis of medical themes..
- Week 12Module 5: Theories and Methods in Literature and Medicine
Unit 2: Literature and Medicine: Applicable Methods · 3 hours
Explore applicable methods in Literature and Medicine.. Learn how to apply analytical methods to study literary texts with medical themes..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Prepare for final examinations by revisiting key concepts and themes..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking medical ethics to literary themes.
- Practice applying psychoanalytic theory to character analysis in mental health narratives.
- Review key physician-writers and their contributions to medical humanities.
- Analyze ethical dilemmas presented in case studies from Units 7-9.
- Compare different representations of physical illness across various literary genres from Modules 1-3.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG801 about?
This course is designed to expose students to the interdisciplinary relationship between literature and medicine. The primary aim is to acquaint students with the representation of pathological conditions in literary texts and highlight the role of literature in narrating ethical issues in the medical profession. The course aims to create awareness of different human health situations through literary expression, focusing on the Nigerian scholarly landscape.
How many units does ENG801 have?
ENG801, Special Subject: Literature And Medicine, has 9 units across 4 modules, over 99 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG801?
ENG801 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is ENG801 hard?
ENG801 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and research work.
How long does ENG801 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is ENG801 assessed?
ENG801 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with ENG801?
Medical Writer, Healthcare Journalist, Medical Humanities Researcher, Ethics Consultant and Medical Educator.