Humanities and Social Sciences
Leadership
Department of Social Medicine
Overview and Application Process
The Scholarly Concentration in Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) provides an opportunity to pursue mentored advanced work in one or more HSS fields—including: philosophy of medicine/medical ethics; history of medicine; anthropology or sociology of medicine; health care politics and policy; social epidemiology, health equity and disparities; health services research; law and medicine; literature and medicine; medical STS (science, technology, and society); gender/sexuality studies and medicine; disability studies; postcolonial studies of medicine; and creative artistic studies of medicine with analytical, interpretive, and/or critical dimensions.
Program Structure and Highlights
Class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 Program Requirements
- Students will complete at least 6 hours of elective work or course work in an HSS area supervised by a faculty member affiliated with the concentration. This will involve a scholarly project culminating in a paper or presentation. Students present this project further in the SCP symposium during the spring of their graduation year.
- SOCM 403 – Readings and Projects in Social Medicine
- SOCM 404 – International Projects in Social Medicine
- SOCM 405 – Clinical Epidemiology or Population Health Research, UNC
- SOCM 410 – Readings and Projects in Social Medicine, Asheville
- SOCM 412 – Clinical Medical Ethics, UNC
- SOCM 416 – Advanced Elective in Social Medicine, UNC (for Individualization Phase students who have already completed one SOCM elective)
- SOCM 420 – Clinical Ethics Service Practicum
- Students will document a least 2 longitudinal scholarly engagements with HSS — see program supplementary overview document for a list of possible options.
Social Medicine (SOCM) Elective Notes for Students
Suggestions for Humanities Framing of Artistic/Creative Projects