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On Drugs: Pharmaceuticals, Medicine, and Culture - HPSC2665
History and the Philosophy of Science

 
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
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Drugs are powerful forces of change, rapidly reshaping medical care, lifestyles and even nations. Examines the 'life cycles' of successful medicines developed in the past century, from sex hormones to amphetamines to the latest genetically engineered protein drugs. Considers how the pharmaceutical industry creates new drugs, how marketing interacts with doctor and patient behavior, and how medicine, culture and politics are affected in the process. Applies general concepts regarding the way scientific and social change are connected to help understand drugs and their impact.


Learning Outcomes

In this course students will:
  • Learn to understand better where new drugs come from, how they influence medicine and wider society, and how and why some come to be classified and regulated as pharmaceuticals while others are classified dangerous and banned
  • Gain skills for thinking critically and engaging in independent and reflective learning about the pharmaceutical industry, drugs in health policy, and social responses to illicit drug use.

Assessment

  • Short essays - 60%
  • In class test - 20%
  • Participation - 20%

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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.