Wonderful class, like nothing else I've ever found at UVA. It was excellent to be able to take a class with doctors, med students and undergrads all in the same room. I learned so much and Dr. Merkel is one of the most approachable, fair and helpful teachers I've ever met!
Fun class. Definitely not too much work
One of my favorite classes I've taken at UVA and a great for fulfilling a social science elective. The class meets once a week and discusses a mental disorder each week using an anthropological standpoint. A few articles to read a week but no quizzes/tests/papers except for a final 15-30 page cultural assessment, in which you interview someone who has/had a mental disorder and assess it using tools provided for you. There's plenty of material to cover 20 pages though and it's actually kind of fun to write. Class participation is also a factor. Highly recommended.
