As individuals, we experience sickness and wellness in personal terms, but these conditions have always had wider dimensions. What factors have led to changing experiences of health and illness in history, and why have some groups fared better or worse than others?
More than the history of bodies and medicine, this course provides cultural, economic, environmental, legal, political and social perspectives on various forms of sickness – from smallpox, plague and cholera to venereal disease, alcoholism and AIDS. Students will also learn how health policies and practices have produced distinct outcomes in different regions and periods.
Science and medicine have conquered many diseases over recent centuries. But trade, exploration, colonisation, mass migration, environmental exploitation, industrialisation, war, urbanisation, political ideologies and international relations have exerted greater influence, and these factors continue to shape patterns of sickness and wellness.
Power and authority sit at the heart of the relationship between illness and wellbeing. This course considers that theme by asking: how have different forms of illness and evolving health measures exposed, created and levelled inequalities? Additional questions include: What strategies have been authorized to combat illness in the pursuit of public health? Under what circumstances did health come to be considered a right?
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and analyse how power and authority have shaped the history of sickness and health from the premodern period to the present;
- demonstrate a capacity to analyse sickness and health through the lenses of cultural, economic, environmental, legal, political and social history;
- undertake original research using primary and secondary sources;
- formulate evidence-based arguments in written submissions; and
- demonstrate comprehension of course lectures and written materials in oral discussions.
Indicative Assessment
- Primary Paper [1,000 words] using one visual and one written source pre-20thC (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research Paper [2,300 words] (35) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- In-class quiz (5) [LO 1,2]
- Open-book Final Exam (3 hours) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Participation [live and through lecture responses] (10) [LO 1,2,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The course readings will be provided through an e-brick available via WATTLE.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5100 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4532 | 20 Feb 2023 | 27 Feb 2023 | 31 Mar 2023 | 26 May 2023 | In Person | View |
