AAST 102 - A Dark History: Race, Ethics, and Human Medical Experimentation on Black Bodies in the US

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
This course examines the dark history of human medical experimentation in the United States. Focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, students will explore how Black people were exploited based on race and class, all in the name of research and medical advancement. We will examine well-known cases, including Marion Sims, Henrietta Lacks, and the Tuskegee experiments, as well as less-known atrocities and how these ultimately helped shape our understanding of ethical research today. The course will also cover public health research methods and how research informs the creation of policies intended to protect individuals and communities from further exploitation. Students will be challenged to examine today’s ethical research policies and critically evaluate their strengths, shortcomings, and potential areas for improvement.

This course is appropriate for new students.