Dr. Ray
Greenberg, when he was the Provost of the Medical University of South
Carolina, launched the concept of an interdisciplinary scholars program
for MUSC. The program was intended to enrich the academic environment
of the university and allow meaningful interdisciplinary interaction on
a broad range of issues that transcend discipline and professional boundaries.
A faculty planning committee has designed the program with input from
faculty and students on campus.
The Scholars Program as designed will be a yearlong experience for approximately
30 students, joined by selected faculty scholars from each college. The
program will explore complex social, political, and human issues of broad
interest to health care professionals in a format that maximizes student
participation and interaction. A theme will be chosen for each term or
year of the program, focusing on the goals of the Healthy People 2010
national initiative. These goals are 1) to increase quality and years
of healthy life and 2) eliminate health disparities.
Monthly evening sessions will be the main mode of interaction. Two retreats
are planned and several special occasions with national speakers and the
MUSC President. A university wide forum, led by the scholars, would culminate
the year’s activities. A web-site will be used to support the program
as well. A new class of scholars will be selected each year. The program
is a non-graded, extracurricular activity.
| Broad
Educational Goals: Involvement in the scholars program will
allow students to: |
- Engage in intellectually challenging and provocative
dialogue on issues of broad interest to the helping professions
- Develop appreciation for other disciplines and understand
interdisciplinary cooperation
- Appreciate the complexities of difficult local and
global human and social issues
- Gain greater insight into the nature of ongoing change
and the complexity of resolving conflicting needs
- Understand and appreciate divergent views and heighten
awareness of their own values and sense of social conscience
in the context of their professional responsibilities and talents
- Learn to use new ideas and sources of knowledge to
establish creative lifelong learning patterns
Advantages
of the Scholars Program
Individual
student participants benefit by broadening their perspectives and
preparation for leadership in their professions and communities.
They also value the honor associated with being selected as a Scholar
and the advantages of interaction with local and national experts.
The faculty who are involved benefit by the exposure to students
of different disciplines, and the engagement in issues of relevance
to them as health professionals and citizens.
The University benefits by the greater intellectual exchange and
the perspectives of the students and faculty who are involved. The
identification of each group as Scholar’s Program Alumni allows
a long-term and creative engagement of these participants with the
University.
The greater community benefits from the greater sensitivity to social
issues these students bring to their communities and MUSC’s
greater involvement in issues of community interest and concern.
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