History: Disease and History

This course explores the impact of diseases upon the human story. Until very recently we were perhaps unaware of the way diseases have changed the course of human history. This course discusses a variety of examples disease and how they have had such an impact upon society through affecting whole populations to affecting key individuals and moments of our past. Using visual presentations, and group and paired discussion, the tutor will enable you to debate how a range of diseases have had an impact upon human society both as mass events and through their impact upon key groups and individuals. Examples will include the Black Death, the impact of Typhus on Napoleon's armies, and the death of Prince Arthur from the sweating sickness, all of which have had a wider consequence for human society as a whole. Overall, you will be considering how attitudes at the time towards disease and life in general have affected how disease was seen by those whom it affected. No experience of previous study of the history of disease is necessary- all students are welcome.