Course description
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a groundbreaking report, titled “What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?: A scoping review.” While research on the relationship between arts and health outcomes has grown significantly in the 21st century, findings remain mixed and inconclusive. This course examines the potential mechanisms underlying the association between arts and health, and explores methodologies and research designs that can rigorously evaluate these relationships. Through critical review and structured debates, students will assess existing evidence and consider its implications for policy and practice.

Main Topics

1. Defining Arts and Health
2. Theoretical Mechanisms Linking Arts and Health
3. Research Methodologies and Study Design
4. Prevention and Health Promotion through Arts
5. Arts in Disease Management and Treatment
6. Evidence-Based Policy Implications

Teaching Methods
The course combines lectures and multimedia materials with interactive debates. Students will be assigned by lottery to one of three roles: affirmative teams will support resolutions, opposition teams will challenge them, and judges will evaluate the quality of evidence, arguments, and overall debate performance. Required readings will be provided prior to each debate session, and winning teams will receive bonus points toward their final grade. Students will complete two written assignments during the course: a midterm report and a final report.

Evaluation Methods

• Written reports (individual work): 60%
• Debate performance (group work): 30%
• Class participation: 10%

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: (1) understand the complex relationships between arts and health outcomes; (2) evaluate and interpret current research in the field; (3) apply critical thinking to arts and health policy development; and (4) develop evidence-based solutions for real-world applications.

Weekly Schedule

Week 1
Introduction: Arts and Health — Concepts and Scope
Reading: Art Cure (Introduction)

Week 2
Defining Arts and Health
Reading: Fancourt (2017), Chapter 1

Week 3
Theoretical Mechanisms Linking Arts and Health
Reading: Fancourt (2017), Chapters 2–3

Week 4
Research Methodologies I: Observational Studies
Reading: WHO (2019), selected sections

Week 5
Research Methodologies II: Experimental and Quasi-experimental Approaches
Reading: Selected academic articles

Week 6
Debate Session 1: Evidence and Causality in Arts and Health
Reading: Assigned papers

Week 7
Arts in Prevention and Health Promotion
Reading: Fancourt (2017), relevant chapters

Week 8
Midterm Discussion and Report Feedback
Assignment: Midterm report due

Week 9
Arts in Disease Management and Treatment
Reading: Art Cure, selected chapters

Week 10
Debate Session 2: Policy Relevance of Arts Interventions
Reading: Policy reports and case studies

Week 11
Evidence-Based Policy and Cost-effectiveness
Reading: Selected policy papers

Week 12
Final Presentations and Course Wrap-up
Assignment: Final report

Bibliography

1. Fancourt, D. (2017). Arts in health: Designing and researching interventions. Oxford University Press.
2. Fancourt, D. (2026). Art Cure: The Science of how the arts transform our health. Cornerstone/Penguin Random House（UK)、Macmillan / Celado.
3. Fancourt, D., Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?: A scoping review. Health Evidence Network synthesis report 67.
   https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553
4. Grossi, E., Tavano Blessi, G. & Sacco, P.L. (2019). Magic Moments: Determinants of Stress Relief and Subjective Wellbeing from Visiting a Cultural Heritage Site. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 43, 4–24.
   https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-018-9593-8
5. Selected academic articles and policy papers will be assigned throughout the course.

Course duration: 40 hours of tuition
Credits equivalence: 6 ECTS

Last updated: June 3, 2026