The Bachelor of Philosophy program enables students, working with a faculty mentor, to bring together unique combinations of courses, research, and practice, to produce an individualized degree. Each Bachelor of Philosophy program of study must provide depth and breadth equivalent to the rigor and the development of a body of knowledge and skill present in traditional majors.
1) Please describe your academic goals. What knowledge and skills do you hope to gain through the Bachelor of Philosophy program? Are there specific interests, problems to be solved, ways of knowing, or problem-solving approaches to be developed that you want to work with?
My academic goals include building a strong foundation that will prepare me for a future in the medical field; Gaining insight into alternative methods of medicine and healing that are used predominantly in indigenous cultures; Developing a network of connections with professors, colleagues, professionals, and others working or interested in alternative practices of healing; Organizing times for people to gather who are interested in healing through spiritual practices.
Through the Bachelor of Philosophy program I hope to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare me for a diverse understanding of the field of medicine and healing. Some skills that I believe are important for this path include being charismatic, patient, healthy, passionate, and well educated. I believe is important to have a broad knowledge structure, as well as to be proficient in presenting material and ideas. Each of the classes and activities that I will enroll myself into will prepare me for a future in the field of integral medicine. Some of the knowledge that I hope to gain generally overlaps multiple fields of study; these include anthropology, sociology, philosophy, theology, sustainability, and medicine. Additional knowledge will also be gained by studying the practices of indigenous cultures and alternative practitioners.
I am interested specifically in the use of psychotropic alkaloids used for healing in both primitive and modern cultures. I hope to explore the similarities and differences of techniques and methods using these substances, as well as the outcomes of each group’s practices both quantitatively and qualitatively. There is a great number of misconceptions in reference to healing using alternative techniques. Unfortunately, many people feel intimidated by the uncertainty of alternative practices and rely solely on allopathic approaches to healing. There should be an opportunity for people to gain more insight into alternative practices and to know which approach is most appropriate depending on the situation. It will be important look at a plethora of data because when it comes to healing, each individual reacts differently. I hope to qualitatively study people’s reaction to different alternative approaches and formulate a quantitative report on the affects that were observed. Through this approach I will be able to develop a formal hypothesis as to how alternative approaches influence an individual’s health.
2) Why do you hope to develop an individualized program of study, rather than completing a currently available major? Please explain the ways in which your academic plan differs from already available majors and why it is preferable. How would taking a traditional major limit your objectives?
Integrative Medicine is the approach of taking multiple areas of study and consolidating the knowledge that is acquired in order to be applied through a medical profession. One or even two available majors would be too limiting toward this area of interest. Within each major there are many different techniques and ideas that apply towards the field of medicine, yet there is no one major that integrates this knowledge which is justifiably important for one to study the route of medicine.
By creating my own program I will have the flexibility and knowledge to focus my academic rigor specifically on my passion of healing and medicine. In addition, upon graduation, I will be further prepared to contribute my knowledge and skills to this field. An important factor that one must abide through a medical profession is being well-rounded, in order to understand multiple areas of discipline and build upon them.
By enrolling into a traditional major, I would not gain the knowledge to specially prepare me for my area of interest. An individualized major allows for me to satisfy my interest in an particular field of study. I have inquired about selecting philosophy and/or religious studies as my area of study; however, I feel that there is also valuable information in comparative literature, psychology, anthropology, biology, and other educational doctrines. By selecting my own academic discipline, I will be able to meet the criteria for my future profession in the field medicine.
3) What do you want to do after you earn your bachelors degree? Do your plans include graduate school or professional education in law, medicine, business, engineering or another area of study?
After I earn my bachelors degree, I will be sufficiently prepared to enter into a medical and/or graduate program. There are a sufficient number of medical schools that offer an integral medicine program as an area of study as well as several graduate schools that rigorously explore integral philosophical approaches to healing. Both approaches fully encompass my passion of medicine and healing. A medical route would allow the possibility of clinical work with medicinal and other healing techniques, while a graduate program opens the possibility of future research and understanding in this area. Further, I know integrative medicine will push me far beyond the knowledge that we currently know of medicine and healing in today’s world view and open up endless possibilities.
4) Please provide a proposed semester by semester course plan. Keep in mind that this semester plan is a draft.
Semester 5:
RL ST 409- Buddhist Studies (3 C.U.): This class allows for knowledge in the criteria of religion which has been a major influence of healing since the beginning of time. Spirituality is one of the primary tools that all cultures use for healing and an in depth look into the knowledge of one religion would help to further understand what influence religion plays into healing.
CHEM 202-Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (3 C.U.): This course is a med-school Prerequisite. It will provide a look into the molecular world of how reactions occur. This is very important for understanding the basis of biological reactions.
Latin 001-Elementary Latin (4 C.U.): Latin is the foundation of the English language as well as the root of the field of medicine. This course will help me to become more proficient with language and help derive words that are used throughout our current language.
Chem 113-Experimental Chemistry II (1 C.U.): This course is a medical school prerequisite.
Kines 498C (1 C.U.)-Introduction to Ambulance Operations: This class is a requirement as an EMT but will help me further with my exploration of healthcare.
Kines 498D (1 C.U.)-Emergency Vehicle Operator Course: This class is a requirement as an EMT but will help me further with my exploration of healthcare.
STS 497G (3 C.U.) – Community Food Security: This class is a look into how society utilizes food in a sustainable fashion. This type of philosophy is becoming increasingly important for our health and happiness as we head into the future. Through this class I will begin to add this knowledge to much of the other information that I already have.
Total = 16 C.U.
Semester 6:
Physics 250 and 250P-Intro to Physics I (4 C.U.): This class is a medical school requirement and will help me to understand the nature of the world that we are surrounded by
Chemistry 203 (3 C.U.)- Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry II: This course is a med-school Prerequisite. It will provide a look into the molecular world of how reactions occur. This is very important for understanding the basis of biological reactions.
RL ST 236 (GS) (PSYCH) INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGIES OF RELIGION ( 3 C.U.): This course will provides a scientific perspective on the causality of religion on people. Religion is one of the fundamental techniques in healing an individual from many different problems.
Latin 002-Elementary Latin: (4 C.U.): Latin is the foundation of the English language as well as the root of the field of medicine. This course will help me to become more proficient with language and help derive words that are used throughout our current language.

Total C.U. 14
Semester 7:
Physics 251 and 251P-Intro to Physics II (4 C.U.): This class is a medical school requirement and will help me to understand the nature of the world that we are surrounded by
Latin 003- Intermediate Latin (4 C.U.): Latin is the foundation of the English language as well as the root of the field of medicine. This course will help me to become more proficient with language and help derive words that are used throughout our current language.
ENGL 202B (GWS) EFFECTIVE WRITING: WRITING IN THE HUMANITIES ( 3 C.U.): This class will prepare me to be a more fluent writer in writing about my interest.
BIOL 141 (GN) INTRODUCTORY PHYSIOLOGY ( 3 C.U.) This class will enable me to gain a better understanding of how the human body functions.
Total C.U. 14
Semester 8:
STS 496 Independent Study (3 C.U.) This will allow for me to explore the knowledge of many healing techniques throughout the world. This can allow me to specifically seek insight into the benefits and negatives of different healing practices.
CAS 100 Effective Speech (3 C.U.) This class is a prerequisite for all PSU majors and will allow me to become more proficient with my speech and communication.
PHIL 435 (S T S) THE INTERRELATION OF SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, AND RELIGION (3 C.U.) This course allows for a connection between science and spiritually which has been a constant philosophical battle for centuries. Through this course I will be able to look through multiple perspective of the fussing together of these two belief systems that are thought to be separable of each other. I am extremely enthused to view the part that religion has played in the world of science and medicine.
RL ST 106 (GH;IL) MYSTICISM ( 3) This course will help to view the influence that the mystic has played throughout many cultures. I am curious to see the role of mysticism as a tool for healing and happiness.
ANTH 146 (GS;US) NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS ( 3) This course looks into the culture of the North American Indians. I think this class will be helpful in understanding the cultures methods for healings using different ceremonies and rituals. The American Indians continue to utilize such practices in this current age
15 C.U.

DESCRIBE IN OWN TERMS
Integral Medicine an approach to treatment that intentionally uses conventional medical treatments alongside other practices (eg. nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc.) for maximum benefit (google.com). Through this major, I will be utilizing this philosophy by accompany the pre-medicine courses with other academic information that will broaden my understanding of infinite possibilities. Furthermore, my future in the field of medicine and healing will continue to expand through this academic structure. Integral Medicine is the best defined path for an individual hoping to practice traditional medical approaches while also being open to other possible techniques. Presently, there is a great demand for a new structure to our current view of the medical field which opens the possibility to a future field of integrative medicine.

I hope that this can be an influence to all those persueing alternative practices in their future. Please enjoy and keep connecting...

Much Love and Peace,

-J

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