Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to deepen students’ understanding of history of medicine by examining how
diseases have been socially and historically constructed. Seminars will introduce students in the
varied ways the various in which diseases have been perceived over different periods in history, how
epidemic and endemic diseases have shaped societies across the world. In addition, students from
medical humanities and history will be exposed to different sources and methods used to study
diseases, whether infectious, chronic, ‘fashionable’, or epidemic. This module aims to deepen the
methodological and historiographical skills of students in analysing diverse primary sources.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics may include:
Approaches to the History of Disease
AIDS
Cancer
Children's Diseases
Cholera
Consumption/Tuberculosis
Disease and the Environment
Epilepsy
Fashionable/Unfashionable Diseases
Gout
Insanity
Mortality
Nervous Diseases and Neurasthenia
Occupational Diseases
Plague
Smallpox
Typhus
Venereal Disease
Yellow Fever

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. An in depth knowledge of the history of diseases, set against the background of the main
developments in the history of medicine from antiquity to twenty first century
2. A knowledge and understanding of the historical, social and cultural embeddedness of medicine
through time, illustrated by examples chosen from different historical periods.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. The ability to appreciate and analyse processes of historical change in human responses to and
understandings of health and disease.
2. The ability to relate developments and changes in medical history to their wider historical context
and to view medicine as part of human culture and society.
3. The ability to analyse primary historical documents, records and illustrations concerning health and
disease in past and present.
4. The ability to identify and select information relevant for medico- historical research and to make
appropriate use of secondary literature.
5. Development of associated skills in research, critical reading and reasoning, sustained discussion
and appropriate presentation of the results.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Seminars encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral communication, problem-solving skills and adaptability. They encourage students to share ideas and information and develop a sense of common identity as historians before they undertake individual and more specialised advanced research projects.Seminars will also consolidate the learning progress from weekly readings by enabling students to focus on connected issues and material in greater depth. Seminars will be student-led andfac ilitated by teaching staff, and will hinge upon group discussion and debate about materials circulated in advance(for example, sets of primary source materials, articles, chapters and book extracts). In the event that on-campus sessions need to be reduced, there is the capacity to hold live seminar discussions online and retain timetabled slots.

Timetabled surgery slots and optional office hours meetings will allow students to receive guidance on the planning and research and writing of their essay from an individual member of staff contributing to the module supervising the essay in question. This will ensure closely guided reading and learning and constructive dialogue in assessment preparation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

The written essay, 3,500 words long builds on the content introduced in the module. A formative essay plan (500 words) will ensure that the aims of the assignment are fully clarified. This assessment component aligns with knowledge and skills outcomes.

This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.

General Notes

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