Medical Humanities - Health Studies Program

March 2009 Seminar
Peter Singer Speaks to Capacity Crowd

Internationally recognized bioethicist Peter Singer presented a talk on his new book, The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty, at the Campus Center on March 10. Speaking before a capacity crowd of 500, he discussed practical ways to make changes world wide toward eliminating poverty. Using the analogy of a man who must choose between protecting an expensive pair of shoes from water damage or saving a child who is in danger of drowning, he suggested sacrificing consumption of frivolous items in order to

help persons in dire need of food, safe drinking water, and other basic life necessities. Singer stated, "The consistent theme in my work is to see places where we can reduce suffering." The lecture was widely attended by a variety of people on and off campus, as well as a group of polite protesters who engaged Singer about his views on disabled individuals.

Prior to his lecture, Singer met with a smaller group of students and faculty to discuss the philosophical foundations of philanthropy. The evening talk was followed by a book signing and a brisk sale of several of his books. More than a hundred copies of his works were sold.

To view the video of Peter Singer's talk at IUPUI, please click here

Cancer Stories: The Impact of Narrative on a Modern Malady
November 6-8, 2008 | Indianapolis, Indiana

"Cancer Stories" was a three-day symposium organized around the premise that narratives about cancer have influenced the ways in which cancer is experienced.

Leading scholars in illness narrative, physicians, nurses, patients, artists and advocates explored how the making and dissemination of narrative--including prose, poetry, performance and the visual arts--have changed collective knowledge about the disease.

Click here to visit the project's official website, or here to download a Sound Medicine interview with Symposium plenary speaker, Martha Stoddard Holmes, Ph.D.

Indiana Eugenics: History & Legacy 1907-2007

Events marking the centennial anniversary of eugenics legislation in Indiana, including a public exhibit at the Indiana State Library. For further information, click here or visit the project's official website.

MHHS Student Essay Award

Congratulations to Natalia Slain
2009 Medical Humanities Student Essay Award Winner

The Medical Humanities Student Essay Award is given to a student at IUPUI whose writing is judged to be the best on a topic in the medical humanities and health studies. This $500 award recognizes the work of students in understanding health and medicine from the perspectives of the Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences. Read more...