Biomedicine and World History (309-0-1)

Instructors

Helen Tilley
847/467-3014
Harris Hall - Room 335

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G21: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This lecture course uses the Covid-19 pandemic as a point of departure to study the history of global health and biomedicine. We will break the quarter into four segments during which we will consider: 1) the "unification of the globe" by infectious diseases; 2) the role of empires, industries, war, and revolutions in spreading biomedical cultures around the world; 3) the functions played by transnational and global health institutions in different continents; and 4) the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and the narcotics trade. Students will have a chance to apply insights from the readings - about histories of racial segregation, reproductive politics, militarization, and police powers - to the more recent past. Lectures and readings cover all world regions: Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Learning Objectives

To understand diseases as active agents in human history. To analyze how political, economic, legal, and social systems intersect with medical history. To explain how global phenomena have taken root in different parts of the world. To refine historical reasoning about the origins and impact of multifaceted and transnational issues.

Evaluation Method

Lecture and Discussion section attendance; 3 written assignments (relating to medical history and readings).

Class Materials (Required)

All required materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Historical Studies Distro Area
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - University Library 3722: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - University Library 3670: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Locy Hall 213: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Harris Hall L06: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G28: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G28: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM