BIOL 952A - The History of Medicine: Germs, Sex and the Brain

Semester Offered: Second Semester
Full Course
Credits: 4 credits
Attribute: 4NS, CD

This course explores the history of medical practice through London. The course traces the development of scientific methods of understanding the body from antiquity to modernity, focusing on three areas: microbes and epidemics, mental health and madness, and sexuality and reproductive health. A primary focus will be the impact of medical knowledge on individuals and society. The course will focus on specific events, including the Plague of 1666, the cholera epidemic in the nineteenth century, and the discovery of penicillin, and by making use of the unparalleled resources of the city, such as the British Museum and the Wellcome Trust. Field trips required.
Enrollment Limit: 25
Instructor: M. Peters, A. Wilburn
Consent of the Instructor Required: Yes
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: Taught in London. Prior application and acceptance to the Oberlin in London Program required.