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
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: No freshmen allowed. Pre-registration is for Global Health Studies Majors and Minor only. Registration is open to other students after pre-registration.
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