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University Professors' Courses
Epidemics in American History (3 credits)
Professor Vanessa Gamble
HONR 5701W.82 / AMST 5771W.80 / HIST 5701W.80
CRN 95924 / 95923 / 97427
This course surveys the history of epidemics in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. It examines the development of the medical and public health responses to epidemics and the social, political, cultural and economic impact of epidemics on American history and culture. This semester the course will focus on tuberculosis, the 1918 influenza epidemic, polio, and HIV/AIDS. We will use primary documents, historical accounts, memoirs, fiction, and films to understand the history of these four diseases.
Islam and the West (3 credits)
Professor Seyyed Nasr
HONR 5701.81 / REL 5701.80
CRN: 94880 / 96464
This course examines the interaction between Islamic and Western civilization during the past fourteen centuries. After setting the general geographical and historical background for the course, Christian contact with Islam and the development of Christian views about Islam as a religion are discussed. Then extensive attention is paid to the formation of Islamic civilization and the influence of Islamic ideas upon the West in the fields of theology, philosophy, science and the arts, including literature. Attention is then given to the encroachment upon, and finally colonization of, much of the Islamic world by the West and the spread of Western ideas among Muslims. This section is followed by a discussion of the various Islamic responses to the advent of modernism coming from the West. The course concludes with an analysis of present day relations between the two civilizations.
Science and Medicine: A Priceless Journey (3 credits)
Professor Ferid Murad
HONR 5701.80 / BIOC 5701.80
CRN: 94620 / 94828
This course will give a broad overview of numerous key Biomedical discoveries made in the 20th century, examining the oftentimes profound influence such discoveries have on medical technology, new directions in science and medicine, science administration, politics, ethics and philosophy. The course will be conducted in a seminar/lecture style format, followed by a round table discussion forum, where students will have the opportunity to engage in active dialogue with their peers and the lecture's distinguished speaker. Course Objectives: 1) To familiarize students with and help them think more critically about the wide range of effects that important biomedical discoveries have on science and society; and 2) to better acquaint students with readings from a variety of sources illuminating the influence of biomedical discoveries on everyday life.
Prerequisites: Sophomores, juniors, or seniors with at least one year of Biological Sciences or AP Biology.
This course, created by internationally renowned chef José Andrés, surveys the many interfaces of food and society. Mr. Andrés, along with Professor Kim Robien, SPPHS, will structure the faculty lectures, topics and guest lecturers to expand the experiences of students who choose to participate with vigor in this exploration of an exciting interdisciplinary topic. In this course, we invite you to think deeply about food in its many different roles, e.g., as a critical factor in public health, as an industry, as a science, as the medium of the craft of cooking, and as a political instrument.