136-451 Disease and Culture

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Objectives:

Students who complete this subject should:

• develop a thorough understanding of modern approaches to the historical study of the biomedical sciences;

• gain an awareness of the cultural framing of epidemic and chronic disease in Western and non-Western societies;

• be able to analyse critically a range of contemporary biomedical and public health interventions.

Content:

An overview of the cultural and historical study of disease and biomedicine. Building on recent work in the history of the biomedical sciences, the sociology of illness, and cultural studies, this course traces the emergence of interest in embodiment, gender, race, sexuality, and colonialism. In 1997 we will focus on the production of a cultural history of AIDS. No previous study of the history of medicine is required.

Assessment: