Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Undergraduate Students
What are the course requirements for the Medical Humanities, Culture, and Society minor?
The interdisciplinary minor in Medical Humanities, Culture, and Society requires six total courses: two core courses (MHUM-101: Introduction to Medical Humanities and MHUM-401: Senior Capstone Seminar in Medical Humanities) and four electives (view a representative sample in the course offerings section above).
Do I have to take any of the core/elective classes in a particular order?
There is no particular order required for you to take your courses, except for the MHUM-401: Senior Capstone Seminar in Medical Humanities, that you should take after MHUM-101: Introduction to Medical Humanities.
Do all of the courses required for the minor have to be three credit classes or can some courses be fulfilled by the 1 credit classes?
All of the core courses required for the minor are 3-credit courses, but up to 3 credits can be fulfilled by 1-credit elective courses.
I took or I am taking a course that previously counted as Medical Humanities elective, but does not currently have the “Medical Humanities” tag. Will it count as an elective for the medical humanities minor?
Yes! You can email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu to let us know if an elective that appears in the course offerings section is missing the “Medical Humanities” tag so we can make sure the Registrar adds it and you get the credit for the minor.
I took or I am taking a course that is not tagged as a Medical Humanities elective but I believe it should be. What should I do?
Email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu with the class information, why you believe it should be counted as a Medical Humanities elective, and the syllabus. We will review this information and contact the professor if we believe the class should have the “Medical Humanities” tag.
Is there an application for the minor?
The minor is open without application to students across the College of Arts and Sciences, SFS, SOH, SON, and MSB. It will also be open (with instructor permission) to graduate and medical student auditors.
Can I talk to anyone about the minoring process?
Of course! You can email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu with your questions or you can schedule an appointment with the Director Lakshmi Krishnan.
What happens if I am not able to satisfy all the requirements? May I undeclare from the minor?
You should be able to undeclare from this or any other minor if not able to satisfy all the requirements, though we encourage you to reach out to us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu if you have concerns about the requirements, so we can help you plan the best way to fulfill them.
Are there any opportunities for mentorship or research assistance?
Our Research Fellowships support Mentored Individual or Collaborative research projects, which may (though are not restricted to) be mentored by our Core or Affiliate Faculty. Reach out to faculty members to discuss with them opportunities for mentorship or research assistance. Employment opportunities can also be found through the Student Employment Office (SEO).
Does the Medical Humanities, Culture, and Society minor permit audit students? What about virtual auditing?
Yes, the Medical Humanities courses are open with instructor permission to student auditors. Although Georgetown is currently committed to in-person classes, some of the courses may be offered in a virtual or hybrid format. You can find that information through GU Experience, or you can email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu to learn more.
If I take an elective over the summer, will it still count towards the minor?
Yes! The class will still count if taken over the summer. Email medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu with any further questions about this.
If I take a course abroad on a topic related to the medical humanities, could it count towards the minor?
Email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu with the class information, why you believe it should be counted as a Medical Humanities elective, and the syllabus. We will review this information and contact the professor of record for confirmation.
Graduate and Medical Students
What opportunities are available to graduate students through this initiative?
You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and information regarding the Initiative.
The Medical Humanities Initiative supports graduate student Independent Scholarly Projects through our Research Fellowships, which welcome applications from undergraduate, graduate/professional students from the Main and Medical campuses once every academic year.
Graduate students can also join the Medical Humanities courses as student auditors (with instructor permission), apply to employment opportunities through the Student Employment Office (SEO), and attend the events we sponsor.
Are there any opportunities for mentorship or research assistance?
Our Research Fellowships support Mentored Individual or Collaborative research projects, which may (though are not restricted to) be mentored by our Core or Affiliate Faculty. Reach out to faculty members to discuss with them opportunities for mentorship or research assistance. Employment opportunities can also be found through the Student Employment Office (SEO).
Does the Medical Humanities, Culture, and Society minor permit audit students? What about virtual auditing?
Yes, the Medical Humanities courses are open with instructor permission to student auditors. Although Georgetown is currently committed to in-person classes, some of the courses may be offered in a virtual or hybrid format. You can find that information through GU Experience, or you can email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu to learn more.
General Public
How do I learn about the Initiative’s events and opportunities?
Our newsletter includes all our latest updates, including past and upcoming events, faculty updates, opportunities to become more involved, and more. Signing up to join our mailing list would be a great first step to become more involved with our Initiative! Additionally, you can follow our social media (Instagram and X: @gumedhum) to stay updated.
Who can I reach out to regarding collaboration or other inquiries?
Email us at medicalhumanities@georgetown.edu with any questions about working with our program!