When it comes to best practices in higher education, interdisciplinary approaches are increasingly recognized for their ability to provide students with a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of their fields of study.
And, the Health Sciences are no stranger to this. For students studying in this field with the goal of entering the health professions, the integration of classical studies—specifically Greek and Latin suffixes and roots —into the curriculum offers a unique opportunity to enhance students’ communicative abilities and prepare them for the rigorous evaluations that weigh heavily on word part meanings, comprehension and fracturing of key terms.
But, this can be easier said than done. Therefore, we’re here to provide some suggestions about how to bridge this gap:
The Intersection of English Literature and Medicine: The Basics
When students begin their Health Science program, they’ll usually need to enroll in several general education courses to get the number of credits needed toward their degree or certification. Even though some of these gen ed courses might be a far cry from what they’ll eventually be studying in their Health Science courses, what if it didn’t need to be? What if educators could slightly differentiate these gen ed courses to adapt to their students who will go on to study in different professions?
One great example of this would be English Literature courses, sometimes referred to as “Classics” courses. For some students, this might not be the most interesting course on their schedule. But, it could be made much more relatable to their coursework.
How?
Well, the journey into medicine often begins with the foundation of language. It is well-known that many English words—and the majority of medical terminology used today—derive from Greek and Latin roots. What if educators in these departments could actually utilize a medical terminology course to enhance their students’ understanding of their assignments while simultaneously preparing them for their higher level Health Science courses?
What are The Benefits for Departments, Educators, & Students?
Taking an interdisciplinary approach in general education courses is not so easy to do. (Nor is it easy to convince educators). Universities have limited budgets, teachers already have enough work on their hands, and students are often overwhelmed with workloads and expectations. But it’s precisely for these reasons that taking an interdisciplinary approach can be beneficial for all parties involved.
We’ll use our example of integrating a Medical Terminology curriculum — one that’s already been designed and easy to administer from Caduceus — within a Classics course to paint this picture:
For Students:
To start, by integrating Medical Terminology into English Lit courses, students can significantly improve their understanding and retention of these terms. And, when students are given access to these materials via a lifetime subscription, they can always rely on this course to get them through the later stages of their education and career, i.e., their passing graduate and professional exams, which often test knowledge of medical terminology through word recognition and association, as well as when they start their careers.
For Faculty:
The integration of a ready-to-use Medical Terminology curriculum into Classics Departments simplifies the administrative aspect of course management. This efficiency allows faculty to devote more energy to creative teaching methods, personalized mentorship, and deepening student engagement.
Educators have the unique opportunity to broaden their teaching repertoire and explore innovative educational strategies and technologies while creating opportunities to generate FTE and Student Credit Hours for the department with scalable solutions relevant to dozens of departments on campus. This can lead to increased job satisfaction as they witness the direct impact of their teaching on students’ understanding and enthusiasm for the subject matter.
For Departments:
Offering courses that cross traditional academic boundaries can attract a wider range of students, enhancing the department’s appeal and potentially increasing enrollment figures. This diversity enriches the academic environment, fostering a culture of interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
Additionally, finding ways to appeal to more students in the long term naturally translates to higher enrollment and can improve retention rates as students see the direct value of their education in their chosen fields. This alignment between academic offerings and career aspirations is crucial for student satisfaction and success.
Finally, pioneering such interdisciplinary courses positions the department as a leader in innovative education, contributing to its growth and the overall advancement of the university, as well as supporting its applications for funding.
How to Introduce Medical Terminology Interdisciplinarily
Now that we know the benefits of blending courses like Medical Terminology with the Classics, how can one actually go about doing this? Though we pride ourselves on supplying a robust Medical Terminology curriculum that educators can adapt as they see fit, we also recognize the importance of providing you with guidance and examples of how to actually achieve this in practicality.
Examples of Classics’ Applications of Medical Terminology (& Vice Versa)
For English Lit professors with many Health Science students, here are some examples of what we’re talking about. Though we don’t need to explain what these books are about to you, we can offer some tips on incorporating Medical Terminology:
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Shelley’s novel can be explored through the themes of human anatomy and the physiological effects of isolation and trauma, as well as the ethical implications of scientific exploration in medicine.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Anatomy” (from Greek “anatome,” meaning “dissection”)
- “Physiology” (from Greek “physis” meaning “nature, origin,” and “logia” meaning “study of”)
2. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Stevenson’s work can be analyzed in terms of psychological disorders and the concept of the dual nature of man, mirroring the complexities of mental health diagnoses in the medical field.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Psychology” (from Greek “psyche” meaning “soul, mind,” and “logia” meaning “study of”)
3. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
The themes of plague and familial curses in “Oedipus Rex” offer a unique opportunity to discuss the impact of genetic disorders and infectious diseases, as well as the origins of epidemiology.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Pathology” (from Greek “pathos” meaning “suffering,” and “logia” meaning “study of”)
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Brontë’s novel provides a platform to explore psychiatric disorders and the psychological effects of childhood trauma, relating to modern understandings of mental health and resilience.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Psyche” (from Greek “psyche” meaning “soul, mind”)
- “Trauma” (from Greek “trauma” meaning “wound, injury”)
5. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s portrayal of Hamlet offers insights into the manifestations of depression and grief, including the early understanding of what we now recognize as psychosomatic disorders.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Melancholia” (from Greek “melas” meaning “black,” and “chole” meaning “bile”)
6. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel allows for an exploration of the symptoms and treatment of depression and other mental illnesses, examining how they were perceived and stigmatized in the 1950s compared to current understandings and treatments. This offers a lens to discuss the evolution of psychiatric care and the language surrounding mental health.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Psyche” (from Greek “psyche” meaning “soul, mind”)
- “Pathology” (from Greek “pathos” meaning “suffering,” and “logia” meaning “study of”)
7. Beowulf
The battles and injuries described in “Beowulf” offer a unique opportunity to discuss ancient and mythical understandings of injury, healing, and disease, as well as the role of leaders in protecting their people from health crises, whether real or fantastical.
Greek/Latin Roots:
- “Epidemiology” (from Greek “epi” meaning “upon,” “demos” meaning “people,” and “logia” meaning “study of”)
These examples show how literature not only reflects societal understandings of health and disease but also how the rich etymological roots of medical terminology can enhance our appreciation and understanding of these classic texts. By teaching literature through the lens of medical terminology, students can engage more deeply with the material, seeing the relevance of these stories in the context of human health, psychology, and ethical considerations in medicine. This approach not only enriches the student’s educational experience but also prepares them for more specialized courses in their future careers.
A Forward-Thinking Approach to Medical Education
By bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities, educators can prepare students for a more holistic understanding of their future professions and the world around them. The problem is many educators don’t have the tools at their disposal to make this a reality for their students, including the support from their university. We hope that presenting this example of how a Medical Terminology course can be integrated with courses that most students will have to take regardless of their chosen field — i.e., general education courses like English Literature — will help to start a conversation.
