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MO3338   Disease and the Environment (c. 1500 - 2000)

Academic year(s): 2019-2020

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: See http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/infoug/ugtimetable

Before they are members of political and religious groupings, humans are biological entities. As such, throughout history humans have had to devise complex strategies to cope with fundamental biological factors. Focusing primarily upon an Anglo-American context, this module examines the manner in which sickness and death have shaped human history - both biologically and culturally - over the past 500 years. Consideration of patients' and practitioners' expectations, and of the changing meanings of cure, treatment, and care, encourages students to appreciate changing attitudes to health, hygiene, healing and illness within the social history of medicine. Moreover, through an examination of medical practitioners, hospitals, quarantine, inoculation, imperialism, urbanisation, and industrialisation, students will gain an appreciation of the historical relationships between the environment and disease.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass at least 60 credits from {MO1007, MO1008, MO2008, HI2001, MH2002}

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take MO3023 or take MO3909

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 278

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 13%
Coursework: 27%

Re-assessment: 4,000-word essay = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr J F M Clark
Module teaching staff: Dr J F M Clark