UW, Department of Bioethics & Humanities

The Minor in Bioethics and Humanities is particularly useful for students aspiring toward careers in the health professions and is designed to provide an appreciation of the culture of medicine and allied fields. The Department of Bioethics & Humanities is devoted to teaching and research in the history of medicine and science, and in the ethics and philosophy of medicine.

It is advised that all declared and prospective BH minors sign up for our BH listserv to receive periodic reminders and updates on classes, events, scholarships, etc... You may sign yourself up at:
https://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/mhe_minor

Requirements: 25 credits of Bioethics & Humanities and related courses (15 of which must be B H ) with a minimum of 2.0 GPA required in each course presented for the minor. The minor worksheet will be very helpful in keeping track of your progress; it is available in the department office at A-204 Health Sciences Building or as a PDF file.

Courses must be distributed as follows:

Choose one of the following: B H 411, B H 474/PHIL 411, PHIL 240, or PHIL 242
Choose one of the following: B H 401, B H 417, or B H 481
Additional credits selected from the following electives to total 25 credits; 15 credits must be B H courses: B H 401*, B H 402/PHIL 412, B H 404/PHIL 413, B H 411*, B H 417*, B H 440/PHIL 459, B H 474*/PHIL 411*, B H 481*, B H 483, B H 485, B H 497, B H 498, B H 499, ANTH 305, ANTH 308, ANTH 322, ANTH 374, ANTH 375, ANTH 440, ANTH 474, ANTH 475/HSERV 475, ANTH 476, ANTH 477, ANTH 479, CHID 332, CHID 433, CHID 434, GEOG 280, G H 201, HIST 311, HIST 312, HSTAA 316, HUM 211, NURS 410, NURS 412, PHARM 493, PHIL 102, PHIL 160, PHIL 240*, PHIL 242*, PHIL 345, PHIL 360, PHIL 409, PHIL 410, PHIL 415, PHIL 440, PHIL 460, PHIL 481, PHIL 482.

Total of 25 credits includes core courses. Any of the courses listed above in 1) and 2) may be used as electives if they are not counted toward the core requirements. *Signifies a core course. If a B H course is cross-listed with another department’s course, B H credits toward the required 15 credits will be accepted.

COMPLETING THIS MINOR will probably require at least two years, as many courses are offered only once a year or in alternate years. It is preferable to allow three years, beginning with 100-300 level courses in the sophomore year. No substitutions are allowed for either core or elective courses. Due to high demand and limited spaces, minors are given priority during period one registration for some BH classes. PLAN AHEAD!

YOU MUST OFFICIALLY DECLARE A MINOR any time after you have earned 90 credits, regardless of whether or not you have declared a major. You must fill out a change-of-major/minor form or your minor will not be official and will not be noted on your academic record. An adviser's signature is not required. Forms for declaring a minor are available at any advising office, Schmitz Hall, Rm. 225, or the Undergraduate Advising Center, 171 Mary Gates Hall.

The Department of Bioethics & Humanities is in the School of Medicine. Courses and related information are listed under School of Medicine in the Time Schedule and the UW General Catalog.

BH undergrad courses will require entry codes during registration period one. Entry codes will only be distributed to declared BH minors. Larger courses will open to all after registration period one ends on a first-come, first-served basis with no entry code required. Our smaller courses will still require entry codes, and we will begin wait lists after registration period one ends.

If you have questions about the minor, please contact Sarah Edwards, Program Coordinator, at bhinfo@u.washington.edu.

Required Core Courses

Choose one of the following four courses:

B H 411 Introduction to Bioethics (3) Introduction to field of bioethics. Basic concepts, principles and methods of analysis, with application to some major issues in the field. Case studies utilized to illustrate nature of questions arising in bioethics and to provide students with opportunity to develop skills in ethical analysis.

B H 474 / PHIL 411 Justice in Health Care (5) 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.

PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics (5) Critical introduction to various philosophical views of the basis and presuppositions of morality and moral knowledge. Critical introduction to various types of normative ethical theory, including utilitarian, deontological, and virtue theories.

PHIL 242 Introduction to Medical Ethics (5) Introduction to ethics, primarily for first- and second-year students. Emphasizes philosophical thinking and writing through an in-depth study of philosophical issues arising in the practice of medicine. Examines the issues of medical ethics from a patient's point of view.

AND one of the following three courses:

B H 401 The History of Modern Medicine (3) Survey of evolution of medical theory, practice and institutions in European and American society, from the late 18th century to present.

B H 417 Disease in History (3) A 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.

B H 481 The Pursuit of Health in American Society (3)
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, dress, sex, and other health behavior.

Electives: Additional credits from approved electives to total 25 credits for the program, including core courses (15 credits must be in B H courses). For a list of the core and elective courses click here.