| Dozent/in |
Prof. Sara Rubinelli, PhD |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Vorlesung/Seminar |
| Code |
HS261104 |
| Semester |
Herbstsemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Gesundheitswissenschaften |
| Studienstufe |
Master |
| Termin/e |
Di, 22.09.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 29.09.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 06.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 13.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 20.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 27.10.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 03.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 10.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 17.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 24.11.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 01.12.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Di, 15.12.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 2
Mo, 18.01.2027, 08:30 - 09:30 Uhr, HS 9 (Prüfung) |
| Weitere Daten |
This course is particularly relevant for students interested in developing a broader, human-centered understanding of health and healthcare. It complements scientifically oriented courses by fostering critical reflection, ethical awareness, and cultural sensitivity. |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Inhalt |
- Introduction to Health Humanities: scope and relevance
- Philosophy of happiness and human flourishing
- Death and dying: existential and cultural perspectives
- Literature and narratives of illness and care
- Films, poems, music and drama about health and illnes
- Representations of the body, beauty, and the grotesque
- History and evolution of mental health concepts
- Ethics and applied ethics in healthcare
- Humanities perspectives on inequality, stigma, and social justice |
| Schlagworte |
Gender/Diversity ; Nachhaltigkeit |
| Lernziele |
How do literature, art, history, ethics, and philosophy deepen our understanding of health, illness, suffering, and care?
This course introduces students to the field of Health Humanities, offering a multidisciplinary perspective that complements scientific approaches with critical reflection on human experience. It explores how cultural, historical, and philosophical dimensions shape concepts of health, disease, and care.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the contribution of the humanities to health and healthcare
- Critically reflect on themes such as suffering, flourishing, and mortality
- Analyze representations of illness, disability, and healing in literature and the arts
- Appreciate the historical and cultural shaping of concepts such as mental health and the body
- Apply ethical reasoning to health-related dilemmas
- Strengthen interpretive, critical, and reflective skills relevant to health professions |
| Voraussetzungen |
No background in philosophy, literature, or the humanities is required. Curiosity, openness, and willingness to engage with diverse perspectives on health and the human condition are expected. |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Anmeldung |
Moodle: https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=1026
|
| Leistungsnachweis |
Assessment consists of two components:
• A group project (30% of the final grade), to be presented during the last class on 15 December. The project requires students to collaboratively analyze a health-related theme through a humanities perspective, integrating conceptual insights with interpretive reflection.
• An individual written exam (60 minutes), assessing students’ understanding of key concepts and their ability to critically interpret themes related to health, illness, and care through a humanities lens.
Regular attendance is recommended, although not mandatory. However, part of the exam is a group project and all students attending this course will have to work with some colleagues.
IMPORTANT: In order to earn credits and participate at the exam registration via Uni Portal within the exam registration period is MANDATORY. Further information: www.unilu.ch/en/study/courses-exams-regulations/health-sciences-and-medicine/exams/ |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Written exam / 3 Credits
|
| Hinweise |
Teaching methods:
• Interactive lectures
• Reading and discussion of selected texts (philosophy, fiction, historical accounts, ethical case studies)
• Visual and narrative analysis (art, film, literature)
• Small-group discussions and critical reflections
• Student presentations and creative exercises |
| Hörer-/innen |
Nein |
| Kontakt |
sara.rubinelli@unilu.ch |
| Material |
Slide sets, handouts, case study materials, and structured exercises will be provided via Moodle. |
| Literatur |
Core readings include:
Nussbaum, M. C. (2010). Not for profit: Why democracy needs the humanities. Princeton University Press.
Frank, A. W. (1995). The wounded storyteller: Body, illness, and ethics. University of Chicago Press.
Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.; Rev. ed.). Oxford University Press.
Eco, U. (2004). On ugliness (A. McEwen, Trans.). Harvill Secker.
Tolstoy, L. (2008). The death of Ivan Ilyich. Oxford University Press.
Sontag, S. (1978). Illness as metaphor. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Camus, A. (1991). The plague. Vintage International.
Additional readings will be provided via Moodle. |