ALHS 5336 Exploring Disease and Disability through Literature and Art

In this course, students examine selected literature and art, depicting disease, disability and the related pain and suffering. Through novels, short stories, essays, and visual imagery including paintings, photographs and films, students will explore the ways patients, doctors and other healers, and whole societies grapple with the fear, pain and suffering associated with illness and disease. Students will discover how narratives and art might help us to make sense of our own lives and the lives of others in times of crisis. Many of the learning assignments will question some fundamental assumptions, stimulating students to re-conceptualize their notions of normality/disability, health/disease, and life/death.