FYSP 080 - Pandemic: The Great Influenza in History and Memory

FC SSCI WINT

4 credits
Just over a century ago, a deadly strain of influenza infected one-third of the world’s population, claimed tens of millions of lives, and upended entire communities. Yet, until the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Influenza largely faded from public memory. Why? What impact did it have on American society and the wider world? And how can we make sense of this history in the context of our recent experiences? In exploring these questions and this subject, students will develop their critical reading, analytical, research, writing, and presentation skills and receive a grounding for success at Oberlin.