Interested in plagues, maladies, and epidemics of the past?
"Epidemics in History: From the Black Death to COVID-19" will be available as HIST 349/HMED 349 for the fall 2025 semester. It will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and be taught by Dr. Cindy Ermus.
This course explores the impact of disease epidemics on societies throughout history, from the devastating outbreaks of bubonic plague in the Middle Ages to the global pandemic of COVID-19 in the modern era. It examines the causes, transmission, and effects of major disease outbreaks, including their social, economic, and political consequences. Students will gain an understanding of how different cultures and societies have responded to epidemics, from religious practices to quarantine measures, and how these responses have evolved over time.
The course will also delve into the medical and scientific developments that have shaped our understanding of diseases and how they can be prevented and treated.
Through a combination of lectures, readings, and discussions, students will explore the historical and cultural contexts of epidemics and how they continue to shape our world today.
