To Be Human is To Be Limited Student Perspectives on Self Through Meaningful Reflective Writing

Abstract

This upper-division writing course in public health offers the opportunity for learners to engage with a variety of texts in multiple genres that cover wide-ranging topics. Reflective writing assignments in similar courses also align with scholarship on the value of reflective writing in the health sciences (and across all disciplines). When supportively scaffolded, reflections are even more empowering and important to students, because in-class and write-to-learn activities prepare students to engage with topics that arise from considering the end of life. When student choice informs the reflections, learners are encouraged to think empathetically and existentially about how their complex cultural identity informs their beliefs around well-being, end of life, grief, and loss, and to consider the choices they want to make to build healthy communities and live a meaningful life.