Professor: Smith Course format: Seminar w/section Number of respondents: 19 Total Enrollment: 21 Class Composition: Froshs: 10 Sophs: 11 Jrs: 0 Srs: 0 Concs: 2 Non-Concs: 11 Don't Know: 6

Instructor Average: 1.46 Course Average: 1.52

"Cost Versus Care: The Dilemma For American Medicine" was a limited enrollment class taught by Professor Smith aimed at freshmen and sophomores, especially PLME students. The aim of the class, according to reviewers, was to give them a deeper understanding of the health care system in the United States and the major ethical issues surrounding it. Through their analysis of health care, the students tried to develop their critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. No prerequisites are required besides an interest in the subject material.

Student reaction to Professor Smith was mostly positive. Reviewers hailed his teaching style as enthusiastic, clear, and organized. Furthermore, they found him to be very open and approachable. He was very effective at stimulating discussion within the class and making the students feel comfortable about speaking.

The course load included weekly readings, two short papers, one long paper, two debates, a service-work project, and leading a seminar in a group. A couple of students complained that the course wasn"t challenging enough and others wished there were more short papers assigned. A few remarked that it wasn"t necessary to do all the reading. Professor Smith put a heavy emphasis on class discussions and debates. He graded his small class of twenty on their in-class participation, prompting students to put a lot of effort, and three to five hours per week, into this course. However, the real motivation behind their work seemed to be the material, which they found to be quite interesting. Those in a pre-med track also felt that this class gave them a large body of knowledge applicable to their careers.

This class honored the reading period. The great majority of the reviewers felt that the class was definitely worthwhile. Besides improving their critical thinking and communication skills, they were given an in-depth understanding of the workings of American health care.

View BC/0007 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.