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The History of Medicine and Public Health: Changing Concepts of Health and Disease

Instructor: Professor Sheila M. Rothman

This course will be devoted to examining the conceptual categories in the history of public health and medicine. It will focus on how changing definitions of health and disease, gender and the body, and race and ethnicity have shaped our understanding of the health of individuals, specific populations and the public.

Evaluation:
Participation: 40% of grade

The class will be conducted in a seminar format. Students will be expected to participate fully in the discussions. Each week, individual students will prepare 5 minute responses to one of the readings. The summaries are oral presentations to be delivered at the beginning of the class.

Research Papers: 60% of the grade

Students will also be expected to write a 20-25 page paper that uses primary sources and is relevant to one of the topics discussed in class. Students are expected to discuss the topic with the instructor prior to beginning research. By October 21, it is anticipated that all students will have a defined research topic. Students are expected to begin research by the end of October. All papers are due December 9th.

Readings marked with an asterisk will be available at the Health Sciences Campus Bookstore

  Course Syllabus, Fall Semester 2004 (PDF, 37K)