Sickness and Health in U.S. History

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. CONTENT. Examination of medicine and health in the U.S., from colonial times to present; social history of medicine; experiences of patients and providers; medical ethics; U.S. health systems. This upper-level elective course focuses on the history of health and sickness in the United States, guided by questions about the meaning of health and sickness, changing ideas of illness over time and changing medical institutions and patient experiences. Themes explored may include public health, the development of medical professions and institutions, medical expertise and authority, disease and diagnosis, health and politics and the relationship between health care and broader structures of inequality, identity and access in American society. Instructors may assign different readings and/or topics that fit within the course description and meet the learning objectives. BENEFITS. History teaches evaluation and synthesis of evidence, development of persuasive arguments in written and oral form, expansion of understandings of historical contexts that have contributed to human complexity past and present, including but not limited to the formation of group and individual identities, social and political dynamics and debates about values and rights. Applying this knowledge produces more informed citizens, who are proficient in the abilities required by today’s workforce. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.