Course syllabus

Life and death, health and disease, form an integral part of human experience. The ways in which a society defines and copes with health problems reveal much about the nature of that society. In this course we will be discussing crucial health issues of the twentieth century, preventive and curative approaches to those issues, and public responses. We will be looking at the ways in which Western societies organised health care for various sectors and the impact of modern Western medicine. The goal of the course is to increase our understanding of past and present societies, particularly New Zealand. This is a study in social and cultural history.

This course will begin with an introduction to historiography, research and major themes within the history of health and medicine. Then selected topics will be explored. Each student will take the lead in introducing topics for discussion, and will produce a short handout with points for discussion. Discussion of individual topics will be based on the readings for which I have provided links in the modules section of Canvas.  The year will conclude with a series of reports by students of the research undertaken for the course.We will meet on Tuesdays 2-4pm, 1-11 Short Street, room 220. Here is the tentative timetable:

8 March: Introduction (1)

15 March: Introduction (2)

22 March: Introduction (3)

29 March: EASTER

5 April: Book Review Reports

12 April: Readings (1)

26 April: Readings (2)

10 May: Readings (3)

17 May: Readings (4)

24 May: Readings (5)

31 May: Survey essay reports

Inter-semester Break

19 July: Readings (6)

2 August: Readings (7)

16 August: Readings (8)

20 September: Readings (9)

11 October: Research Essay Reports

It is important that you plan your year's course work from the beginning, and that you work on the various components of that course work concurrently. I will be arranging early in the year for students to come and see me individually to discuss course work plans. I can provide introductory reading suggestions for your chosen topics.

Suggested topics for survey essays and research topics include (these are not exhaustive):

the 1918 influenza epidemic; infant and child health; tuberculosis; polio, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases; maternity; psychiatry; nursing; colonial medicine; women’s health; abortion and birth control; industrial health and accidents; alternative medicines; wartime medicine; heart disease; hospitals; mental health; asthma, hospitals.

The University of Auckland’s Teaching and Learning Policy:

The course aims to promote the University’s Teaching and Learning Policy. The University’s policy statement sets out the following goal for the University’s graduate students: ‘We expect our graduates to be independent and critical thinkers, with an openness to new ideas, possessing intellectual curiosity and integrity, to have a mastery of a body of knowledge and professional skills, to use information discerningly, to show tolerance and an understanding of diverse value systems and views, and to have the potential and the wish to contribute in a leadership role to national and global intellectual, social, scientific, economic and cultural development.’ Specifically, the expectation is that graduate students will have:

• An ability to recognize when information is needed and a capacity to locate, evaluate and use this information effectively, and
• A capacity for critical, conceptual and reflective thinking

The History Disciplinary Area has a strict policy on late essays: any extensions must be negotiated with me before the essay is due.

My office is located in 1-11 Short Street, Room 415, phone 9237319, and my email is l.bryder@auckland.ac.nz. The best way to arrange a time to see me is by email or after the class.