Professor: Smith Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 19 Total Enrollment: 19 Class Composition: Froshs: 9 Sophs: 10 Jrs: 0 Srs: 0 Concs: 5 Non-Concs: 6 Don't Know: 5

Instructor Average: 1.58 Course Average: 1.74

“Cost vs. Care: The Dilemma for American Medicine” is a limited enrollment seminar for which there are no prerequisites. The course is aimed at helping students gain a broader understanding of the US healthcare system. Students are also expected to develop skills in critical thinking and oral and written communication.

Professor Smith used case studies, role playing, and games to satisfy the objectives of the course. While many of the survey respondents enjoyed these games, others wished that the professor would abandon some of his interactive games and lecture more often, because he was excellent at lecturing whenever he actually did it.

Students were expected to participate in class debates and to lead a seminar/class discussion with a partner. They were also required to complete two to three short papers and one final paper, and could choose to integrate community service into their coursework.

Most respondents spent anywhere from two to four hours per week preparing for this course, which was less time than most initially expected. Says one student: “Be prepared for a lot of speaking and interaction.” “It has a high school sort of feel to it,” says another student. Indeed “Cost vs. Care: The Dilemma for American Medicine” seems to be a good class for freshman and sophomore students interested in careers in medicine, particularly those who enjoy small classes with lots of discussion and few boring lectures. Given its limited time requirement, it is also a good class for students looking for an easier course to lighten their heavy workloads.

View BC/0007 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.