Implementation of a Health Humanities Pathway Program

FAIN: AKB-279324-21

D'Youville University (Buffalo, NY 14201-1032)
Gina Camodeca (Project Director: September 2020 to present)
Renee Cadzow (Co Project Director: April 2021 to September 2024)

The implementation of an interdisciplinary major in health humanities for undergraduates.

D’Youville College (DYC) proposes to implement an interdisciplinary major in Health Humanities by creating six core courses with robust experiential-learning components. DYC created the major, which stems from a new general-education curriculum and a piloted series of topics courses, to strengthen the humanities by means of interdisciplinary programs. The major responds to the College’s belief that, to serve their communities most effectively, healthcare providers must have a firm understanding of how and why different belief systems, cultural biases, ethnic origins, family structures, and other culturally determined factors influence how people experience illness. It also responds to DYC’s mission and its position as an important provider of healthcare professionals in a highly diverse city with a focus on healthcare. As part of implementing the new major, DYU will launch a speaker series and faculty workshops and significantly enhance its collaboration with community organizations.