BOS-101-7 at the Frontier of Medicine: the Longwood Medical Area

BOS-101-7 at the Frontier of Medicine: the Longwood Medical Area

SYLLABUSRussell

BOS-101-7 At the Frontier of Medicine: The Longwood Medical Area

This is a freshman writing course, using the Longwood Medical Area and it’s history of medical advancement and innovation as the focus of the writing assignments. During this course students will learn more about the general history of the LMA, the medical innovations that have come from the hospitals in the area, and the people who made those advancements. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the ethical aspects behind medical research and clinical trials, as well as discuss areas of medicine that are of interest or importance to them and that they would like to bring awareness to on campus.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Analyze issues, ideas, artifacts, or events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion
  • Access and use information in accordance with academic standards
  • Evaluate information and sources for credibility and relevance
  • Develop an understanding of ways one can be an engaged member of the Boston Community
  • Understand how to use Boston as a resource for ongoing learning
  • Demonstrate competencies in writing, reading, and thinking
  • Demonstrate an understanding of writing as a rigorous process
  • Demonstrate awareness of context, audience, and purpose in one’s writing.

Additionally, specific to the focus of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the medical advances originating from the LMA, and discuss how these advancements were achieved.
  • Develop a reasoned and thoughtful appreciation of the ethical and actual successes and failures in past and present medical practices.
  • Analyze argument and counterargument, scientific research, and anecdotal evidence pertaining to current issues.
  • Demonstrate the role of the LMA in history, and the contribution of Simmons Alumni
  • Discuss the concepts surrounding clinical trials
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the ethical use of human subjects, both alive and deceased, in understanding and progressing medicine.

ASSESSMENT:

The completion and mastery of these objectives will be assessed through specific writing assignments during the semester. The assignments are as follows:

  1. LITERATURE REVIEW: Students will choose a topic from a given list of options, and will complete a 1500- 2000 word (~3-4page) review using published literature. Preparation for this piece will include the use outlining, summary, annotation of bibliographies, and three drafts prior to submission.
  2. REFLECTION ON THE VISIT TO THE WARREN ANATOMICAL MUSEUM: Students will write a short reflection (~600 words, ~1page) on the visit, which can be equally fascinating, revolting, and emotional. This will be completed both in and outside of the classroom, with at least one draft and peer review prior to submission.
  3. SUMMARY OF THE COUNTWAY SEMINAR: Students will write a summary (300 words) of the seminar discussing the history and ethics surrounding historical anatomical dissection in the LMA and elsewhere. This is to be completed in and outside of the classroom, and is designed to be a record of what is discussed during the seminar.
  4. ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE PROCESS OF MEDICAL ADVANCEMENT: Students discuss and provide reasoned argument as to the suitability of clinical trials to achieve the desired goal, including the ethical issues surrounding trials and advancement, and how trials today differ from historical practices. This analysis will be 1000-1500 words (~2-3pages).
  5. PROPOSAL FOR PROMOTING AWARENESS TO MEDICAL ISSUES: Students choose an issue that they feel should gain greater awareness on campus. Students will provide evidence of the importance of the issue, why awareness is needed, how this awareness can be achieved, and who needs to be made aware. This piece will include summary, argument, analysis, and awareness of one’s audience. This piece will be 1500 words (~3pages).

These assignments comprise approximately 5000 words of submitted material, and does not include other practice exercises etc.

The value of these submitted assignments in determining the student’s course grade, along with participation in class and improvement across the semester is as follows:

Literature Review30

-Outline(2.5)

-Annotated Bibliography(2.5)

-Final Submission(25)

WAM Reflection piece10

Summary of Countway Seminar5

Analysis of Clinical Trials20

Proposal30

Class participation2.5

Improvement in writing (process, standard etc.)2.5

100%

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