136-528 Medicine, Biology and Culture

Formerly available as 136-451 and 136-069. Students who have completed 136-451 or 136-069 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours or a postgraduate coursework program.

This subject is an overview of the historical study of disease, human biology and biomedicine with special reference to public health in comparative, cross-cultural settings and the role of biological thinking in the history of social and political policy-making. It builds on recent work in the history of biomedical and biological sciences, the sociology of illness, cultural studies, race studies and social theory to reframe the history of public health and the understanding of definitions of humanity. The course may include topics on the history of plagues; public health interventions; eugenics; physical anthropology and race; public health policy; changes in perception of disease; hospitals and paramedical services; war and medicine; social status and health; globalisation and the new genetics. Students should develop an understanding of the cultural framing of disease and race in western and non-western societies; demonstrate the ability to analyse critically a range of biomedical and public health interventions; and gain experience in carrying out a research project in the history of health care, biological and biomedical sciences and public health.

• develop skills in written and oral communication;

• conduct independent research;

• make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument;

• form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.

A total of 5000 words comprising a 1000-word class paper 20% (due after the end of semester) and a 4000-word research essay 80% (due after the end of semester).