The University of New South Wales

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Cheating Death: A History of Medicine - HPSC2660
Students on quad lawn

 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 36 units of credit
 
 
Excluded: GENS5522, GENT0902, HPST2003, HPST2128, HPST3119
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

What was the Medieval attitude to the bubonic plague? How has the doctor/patient relationship changed through time? In what ways has society reacted to new diseases such as AIDS? The answers to these questions, and many more, will be discussed in this course, which looks at the changes in Western medical theory and practice from the earliest recorded times to the present day. No previous biological knowledge is required for this examination of issues of health and disease in their historical and social contexts.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students should:
  • Be able to place developments in medical theory and practice on a mental time line from the earliest times to the present
  • Connect these developments to concurrent social, economic and political approaches and independently analyse and criticise relevant primary and secondary historical and current texts
  • Engage in independent and reflective learning in the history of medicine
  • Extend their presentation, analytical, and writing skills, and gain a clearer understanding of historical arguments and the reasoning and language skills necessary to make them effectively.

Assessment

  • Two in-class tests - 20% (10% each)
  • Presentation and follow up paper - 40%
  • Participation - 10%
  • Major essay (2500 words) - 30%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.