136-032 The Ecological History of Humankind

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Subject Description

This subject explores the relationship between biological facts (those governing health and disease) and the social structures and behaviours which affect them. 'Ecological' means the inter-relationship between life forms and their environment - between disease organisms and human hosts, food supplies, climate and physical environment. But the organisation of societies also affects these ecologies, for instance the mobility and low density of hunter-gatherer societies prevented the rise of many infectious diseases. However diseases have moved around the world with migrations of peoples (cholera), along trade routes (the Black Death), and through the dislocations of warfare (influenza, typhus), and played a major role in the conquest of native peoples in colonialism. Students who complete this subject should have a broad understanding of the history of human nutrition and population growth, and an understanding of the effect of disease on society as well as the effect of society on disease.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words. There is a hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials.

Prescribed Texts

• W H McNeill, Plagues and Peoples.
• J Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies.