This class is not an "easy A." I went into the class not really putting in much effort, and this definitely hurt my midterm. I ended having to work pretty hard to pull through for the A. There is a considerable amount of reading and many of them can be extremely dense, but they get better as the semester goes on. I also personally preferred the political/structural concepts we went over in the second half of the semester. With that being said it takes a good amount of motivation to sit down and understand the material, but it is necessary if you want to do well on the exams. Professor Scherz is a good lecturer, but she writes little to nothing on her slides, so you have to make sure you take good notes and attend every lecture. Overall, I would recommend this course to all pre-med students, but make sure you are willing to put in the time.

Professor Scherz is a good professor, but the material can be pretty dry for someone interested in medical ethics. There is a considerable amount of reading for a course that seems to loop back to the same material in each unit. The exams are not difficult as long as you attend discussions and have a good TA. I would say that most people get an A or high B depending on the effort that exhibit. Readings are recommended but not necessary as long as you have a good idea of what each one's argument is by the end of the week's discussion section. Necessary for a Bioethics minor almost definitively.

There's a fair amount of reading. And it is important to do these readings and to understand them. She goes over them in lecture, but not in a lot of detail. In your discussion section is where you really dissect the readings and are able to get a better understanding. The class isn't hard. But that's only if you do the reading and are participating (or at least understanding what is going on) in your discussion section.; Be sure to ask questions if you ever have them. She gives out a study guide for both the mid term and final which is very helpful if you take the time to do and understand. There is 2-3 page essay that you write about yourself and then at the end you will expand that essay to 4-5 pages but you will include things that you have learned in the class. The paper isn't too bad to write and is a good of demonstrating what you have taken out from this course. If you are looking into the medical field, I cannot recommend this class enough. Seriously, if you want to be a nurse, a doctor, a dentist....TAKE THIS CLASS

Professor Scherz is so engaging. I really enjoyed this class with her. The readings were interesting although at times very long. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who wants a good GPA boost.

This was such a great class. China is an amazingly kind, funny, and energetic professor. The class is divided into 2 "sections" with the first section readings slightly less interesting in my opinion - covering topics such as witchcraft and spirit possession. However, the second section discusses mental illness, dementia, and cancer. The articles for these topics were more relatable and very interesting. Although I didn't like the first section as much, China did a great job at connecting the newer readings to the first ones.
The class is pretty easy - just a 3 part paper about you or someone you know with an illness. It was actually fun to write!
The midterm and final both had study guides, and she really sticks to them which was amazing. Overall, I'd highly recommend this class even if you are slightly interested in the medical field and/or anthropology!

Professor Scherz is incredible! This class is not difficult--there are readings every week, but you could get away with skipping them and just attending lecture and discussion. The TAs were also very engaging and eager to help whenever we needed it. The exams are short but not hard; Professor Scherz gives out a study guide well in advance and sticks to it almost perfectly. She is a great lecturer, funny, and loves the subject. She often integrates her personal experience into the class, which livens it up and makes it interesting to be at. Anthropology is not my favorite subject, but I really liked the professor and would take it again just to hear her lectures.

Professor Scherz is an amazing professor and genuinely cares about her students and their comprehension of the material. The course is very easy just a mid-term and a final (both have study guides), a 5 page ethnography, a first hand account paper, and a discussion grade. Loved the class and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is pre-med or just wants to learn about other cultures' views on western medicine and healing.