HST-310 History of Western Medicine

Prerequisite: one history course numbered between 100 and 166
A survey of illness, health, and medicine in Western society from Antiquity through the development of antibiotics. Examination of the changing relationships between medical theories and practice and address the roles of practitioners, patients, and institutions. Discussion of the changing ideas surrounding disease causation, the growth of public health measures, health care institutions, and public policies concerning disease and medicine. Experiences of health, illness, prevention, and treatment, while exploring the various social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions of these issues will also be considered. 4 credits.