University College for Interdisciplinary Learning

From Cholera to COVID-19: A Global History of Epidemics

Course Unit Code

UCIL20331 (10 Credits)

UCIL20081 (20 Credits)

Course Unit Details

• Level 2
• Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine

Overview

This unit explores how infectious diseases have spread across the globe and how different societies throughout history have lived and died with them. We look at key epidemic diseases from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, from cholera and smallpox, to AIDS and Ebola, to our most recent global pandemic, COVID-19.

We ask how and why such pandemics emerge and why some countries and communities are relatively free from epidemic disease while others continue to suffer from them. We explore how various communities, institutions, and governments across the globe have sought to manage pandemics through a variety of means, from controlling immigration and enacting quarantines, to developing scientific solutions like vaccinations and eradication campaigns. We will also explore recurring features of pandemics such as blame, stigma, and the rise of conspiracy theories.

To address these issues, we look at the historical development of factors such as globalisation, colonialism, science and medicine, gender, class and race to better understand the broader structural factors that allow for epidemics to emerge and spread both historically and in the present day.

Aims

Drawing on our contemporary experiences of COVID-19, this unit looks back into the history of global pandemics and enables you to understand how and why epidemic diseases emerge, paying particular attention to the historical social, economic, political, and cultural factors that have led to epidemics. The unit aims to:

• Explore how and why different countries have responded to infectious disease outbreaks in different ways from the nineteenth century to the present day.
• Analyse the experiences of communities and individuals living in the time of epidemics to better understand why certain features of epidemics (blame, stigma, conspiracy) seem to emerge time and again.
• Help us better understand the historical roots of our recent experience with COVID-19 and help us to think about how we might prepare better for future pandemics.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should have acquired a knowledge of the history of epidemic disease from the nineteenth century to the present day and understand the role of historical factors such as globalisation and colonialism in the emergence of epidemics across this period. They will have gained experience and confidence in analysing the experience of people living through epidemics through using a variety of historical primary sources. They will also have developed oral and written communication skills through classroom activities and coursework.

Knowledge and Understanding:

Students should be able to:

• Discuss how and why specific historical epidemics emerged and spread, demonstrating understanding of the role that wider historical factors such as globalisation and colonialism played in the emergence of epidemics.
• Apply appropriate disciplinary knowledge and approaches from global history to analyse the emergence and experience of epidemics.
• Explain how understanding the history of epidemics can help us to better prepare for or manage contemporary or future epidemics.

Additionally, 20 credit students should be able to:

• Demonstrate detailed understanding of a particular epidemic or theme through researching and writing their own project essay.

Intellectual Skills:

Students should be able to:

• Critically analyse a range of primary sources to gain an understanding of how various communities and individuals experienced epidemic disease in the past.
• Debate and discuss with peers to propose solutions to problems emerging alongside epidemic disease.
• Form an opinion supported by research on how understanding history can help prepare for future epidemics and communicate this in writing.

Additionally, 20 credit students should be able to:

• Develop historical research skills by preparing and completing a project essay.

Practical Skills:

Students should be able to:

• Use library, electronic and other online resources.
• Critically analyse a range of primary sources.
• Work independently and in groups with peers.
• Demonstrate confidence in own opinions.

Transferable Skills and Personal Qualities:

Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate verbal communication skills through discussion and thoughtful debate while working as part of a group.
• Demonstrate written communication skills encompassing a range of different writing styles, from academic writing, to more creative, or journalistic style writing.
• Use creative and critical thinking to form and support opinions backed by research on a range of subjects.

Syllabus

Content may vary from year to year in response to contemporary events and student interest, but will typically address the following broad topics:

• COVID-19 and the Global history of Pandemics
• The Global Pandemic of Asiatic Cholera
• Quarantine and Isolation
• The Asymptomatic Carrier
• Living in Quarantine
• The Making of Modern Malaria
• Smallpox and Strategies of Eradication
• AIDS, Ebola and the Return of Plagues
• Jumping Species, Jumping Borders: Zoonotic Disease in the Twenty-first Century
• The New Normal? Life after COVID-19

Assessment

10 Credits (UCIL20331)

1. 1500 word coursework essay (50%)
2. 1000 word 'opinon piece' coursework essay (50%)

20 Credits (UCIL20081)

1. 1500 word coursework essay 25%)
2. 1000 word 'opinon piece' coursework essay (25%)
3. 3000 word project essay (50%)

Eligibility

UCIL units are designed to be accessible to undergraduate students from all disciplines.

UCIL units are credit-bearing and it is not possible to audit UCIL units or take them for additional/extra credits. You must enrol following the standard procedure for your School when adding units outside of your home School.

If you are not sure if you are able to enrol on UCIL units you should contact your School Undergraduate office. You may wish to contact your programme director if your programme does not currently allow you to take a UCIL unit.

You can also contact the UCIL office if you have any questions.

This unit is also available with a different course unit code. To take a UCIL unit you must choose the unit with a UCIL prefix.

Teaching Staff

Harriet Palfreyman

Teaching and Learning Methods

• 11 x 2 hour lectures/seminars