Bridging Humanities and Medicine for Sustainable Societal Impact

This course focuses on the critical interdependencies and synergies between the humanities and medicine in enhancing sustainable social change. Traditionally seen as separate realms—arts and sciences— the course demonstrates the power of their convergence in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.

The course gives an introduction to translational medical humanities which examines how insights from the humanities can contribute directly to social improvements. Emerging from and adding to an online lecture series co-organized by partners from the Circle U. universities, this course demonstrates how the synthesis of, and translation between, perspectives from medicine and the humanities is critical in tackling global challenges such as climate change, democratic deficits, global health disparities, and the evolving challenges of artificial intelligence.

The field of medical humanities was initially developed to provide medical students with a grounding in literature, philosophy, art, music, history, and drama, enhancing their understanding of illness experiences and cultivating their empathy.

However, the scope of medical humanities extends far beyond these initial benefits. It also introduces innovative ways to understand the entanglements between technological advancements, environmental disruptions, governance systems, lifestyle choices, and health—complex networks that cannot be fully explored by a single discipline but require translation across different disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences. 

Through this course, you will acquire the skills and knowledge to analyze and address these interdependencies, translate between different disciplines, and contribute meaningfully to the academic dialogue. As part of the course, you will also have the opportunity to add your own voice to the lecture series, with your contributions becoming part of the material used in future classes — helping shape and sustain this evolving, student-driven conversation around these critical issues and this emerging academic field.

Admission

Admission to this course requires enrolment in a study programme at a Circle U. university at bachelor's level.

A good command of English is expected of all students. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the level of language expected and needed to keep up with teaching and course content throughout the semester.

Apply by 15 September 2026

Documentation requirements:  

• Confirmation of student status. Please attach a certificate that confirms that you are currently enrolled as a student at a program on bachelor's level at one of the Circle U. universities. The confirmation must include: that you have admission to a study program, level of study, that you are currently enrolled as a student at the program. The documentation must be in English.
• Copy of passport or ID-card. Student-ID or driving license are not approved.
• Name change documentation if your name appears different in any of your documentation.

There are a minimum of 10 study places available for each of the participating universities. In case of more eligible applicants than available places, all applicants will be pooled together and chosen at random to ensure that all eligible candidates have an equal opportunity to participate. The course will have 90 places in total. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed admission to the course even if they are qualified. 

All students will receive an answer to your application by 9 October 2026

Teaching

The course is organized according to flipped classroom principles, with a prerecorded lecture series serving as its foundation, published in Canvas. Teaching focuses on discussing challenges that will shape the students' own recorded lectures. Instruction is divided into two online group sessions of 2 hours each: in the first session, the prerecorded lectures will be discussed and contextualized, while in the second session, students present their lecture ideas and receive feedback. You are expected to be prepared for the online seminars, and follow the modules in Canvas.

The first online seminar will take place in the first week of November (between November 2 and November 6). The second online seminar will take place in the last week of November (between November 30 and December 4). The exact dates for the online seminars are published in the end of May. The seminars are held in Zoom in the afternoon. You will also receive more information about the teaching when you have been admitted to the course.

Compulsory activities:

1. Individual presentations forming the basis for the students’ recorded lectures.
2. 100% attendance in the online group sessions is required to be eligible to taking the exam. Attendance will be registered.

All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities. 

Examination

The examination is a portfolio consisting of:

• A self-recorded video lecture based on the topic and a presentation developed during the group sessions which is pre-approved by the course leader. The video should be approximately 15 minutes long. The course leader will provide guidelines for preparing and sharing the recordings.
• Self reflection on lessons learned from the process of recording a video lecture. The self reflection shold be approximately 250 words.

All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.