Undergraduate Course: History of Medicine 1 (SCSU08003)
Course Outline
School |
School of Social and Political Science |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 08 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
Home subject area |
Science Studies Unit |
Other subject area |
Environmental Courses |
Course website |
None |
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Course description |
A general introduction to the history of medicine in Western society from the Ancient Greeks to the twentieth century. It will examine some of the different ways that doctors have thought about health and illness over the past two and a half thousand years and will raise general questions about the historical origins of modern scientific medicine, the role of experts in society, the extent and limits of applicability of scientific thinking, and the relationship between scientific research and public policy. Special attention will be paid to the way that different systems of medical knowledge, and the diagnostic and therapeutic practices associated with them, were adapted to the particular social and historical environments in which they developed. |
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites |
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Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
None
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Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
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Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | 17:10 - 18:00 | | | | | Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 17:10 - 18:00 | | | | Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 17:10 - 18:00 | |
First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 17:10 - 18:00, Zone: Central. William Robertson Building, Room G.08 |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
1. describe the main stages in the changing nature and social organisation of Western health care and healing practices, from the Ancient Greeks to the present day;
2. discuss the dominant ideas about health and illness, their causes and treatment, that have prevailed in Western medicine in different historical periods;
3. discuss how ideas about health and illness and the organisation of health care relate to the wider social and cultural context in which they are articulated;
4. critically evaluate the use of historical evidence in historical argument. |
Assessment Information
Assessed by a short assessment approx. midway through the course (for up to 30% of the overall mark); and a long 2,000 word essay, submitted via WebCT to a deadline date, for the remaining possible 70% of the overall mark. In order to pass the course, the long essay must be passed. |
Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr John Henry
Tel: (0131 6)50 4262
Email: John.Henry@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mr Chris Harper
Tel: (0131 6)51 1306
Email: Chris.Harper@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:41 am
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