Departments
Humanities
Sections on this Page
The mission of the Department of Humanities is to advance humanism in medicine and society.
From the Chair
“When Penn State College of Medicine opened its doors in 1967, the Department of Humanities was one of its founding departments, the first humanities department to be included in a college of medicine in the United States. Our faculty pursue scholarship to advance knowledge, improve teaching, and contribute to our community on local, national, and international levels.”
Bernice L. Hausman, PhD
Chair
For Students
Curriculum
Humanities courses prepare students for humanistic practice and enhance habits of lifelong learning, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
Awards and Scholarships
Students can apply for funds to support humanities research projects as well as for awards and scholarships that recognize achievement in humanistic behavior and the arts.
Student Writers Groups
Student Writers Groups are led by Dr. Kimberly Myers and offer small-group expressive writing instruction to interested students.
Gold Humanism Honor Society
Gold Humanism Honor Society is a service honor society for medical students. It is affiliated with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and sponsored by the College of Medicine.
Wild Onions
Wild Onions is an annual arts and literature journal edited by medical students and featuring creative works from the entire College of Medicine and hospital community.
Events
Learn more about what we have to offer:
Humanities Spotlight
Centers and Programs
Archives
Comics and Medicine Archives
“Graphic Storytelling and Medical Narratives” is a fourth-year Humanities course devoted to comics and medicine, taught by Dr. Michael Green. Explore our students’ archived projects.
Patients as Teachers Films
View an archive of student-produced video narratives from the Patients as Teachers Program.
Viral Imaginations
Viral Imaginations – COVID-19 is a gallery and archive of Pennsylvanians’ experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.
Projects and Initiatives
The Department of Humanities pursues scholarship to advance knowledge, improve teaching and contribute to the community on local, national and international levels.
