UW, Department of Medical History&Ethics

The Minor in Medical History and Ethics 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 Medical History and Ethics 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 MHE minors sign up for our MHE 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 Medical History & Ethics and related courses (15 of which must be MHE) 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: MHE 411, MHE 474/PHIL 411, PHIL 240, or PHIL 242
Choose one of the following: MHE 401,MHE 417, or MHE 481
Additional credits selected from the following electives to total 25 credits; 15 credits must be MHE courses: MHE 401*, MHE 402 / PHIL 412, MHE 404 / PHIL 413, MHE 411*, MHE 417*, MHE 440 / PHIL 459, MHE 474* / PHIL 411*, MHE 481*, MHE 483, MHE 485, MHE 497, MHE 498, MHE 499; ANTH 305, ANTH 308, ANTH 375, ANTH 474, ANTH 475 / HSERV 475, ANTH 476, ANTH 477; CHID 332; CHID 433; GEOG 280, GEOG 380, GEOG 480; HIST 311, HIST 312; HSTAA 316; NURS 200, NURS 410; 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 an MHE course is cross-listed with another department’s course, MHE 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 MHE 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 Medical History and Ethics 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.

MHE undergrad courses will require entry codes during registration period one. Entry codes will only be distributed to declared MHE minors. Larger courses will be then be opened to first come, first served 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 Margaret Mitchell, Curriculum Coordinator, at mheinfo@u.washington.edu or (206) 221-6548.

Required Core Courses

Choose one of the following four courses:

MHE 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.

MHE 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:

MHE 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.

MHE 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.

MHE 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 the following electives to total 25 credits for the program, including core courses (15 credits must be in MHE courses). For a list of the core and elective courses click here.