New Introductory Courses in History (200-0-20)
Topic
Sickness and Health in Latin America and the Carib
Instructors
Paul F Ramirez
847/491-7444
Harris Hall Room 233
Meeting Info
University Hall 121: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
In 1492 the New World became a crucible for the exchange of diseases, drugs, and therapies between people of American, European, and African origin. The region has been central in the circulation of medical knowledge and materials ever since. This course traces upheavals in the history of medicine, from contact to the present. A key angle of inquiry will be to consider how global frameworks help make sense of local practice, and how local knowledge informed transnational, hemispheric, and Atlantic developments in public health and medicine. We will also ask what medical practitioners today stand to learn from a chronologically deep, culturally informed understanding of healing and illness. Topics include pre-Columbian medicine and conceptions of the human body; the "Columbian Exchange" of pathogens, animals, and people; the global commodification of American plants and botanical knowledge; Catholic, shamanic, and lay healing frameworks; disease eradication campaigns, including the discovery of the yellow fever vector; and experiments with socialized medicine.
Learning Objectives
1) Identify key turning points in the history of medicine; 2) Acknowledge the range of actors who participated in the construction of global medical knowledge; 3) Place matters of health and healing within proper social, economic, political, and cultural contexts; 4) Synthesize and analyze research on a contemporary health issue; 5) Assess the benefits of a historical perspective for the medical and allied health professions
Evaluation Method
Position papers 15% Course participation 15% Midterm exam 25% Research presentation 10% Final paper 25% Section attendance 10%
Class Materials (Required)
All the assigned readings will be uploaded on Canvas
Class Notes
Concentration: Americas
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Distro Area
Associated Classes
DIS - University Hall 118: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM
DIS - University Hall 312: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
DIS - University Hall 412: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM