Art  | Italian | Biology | Cinema Studies | History

Biology

Microbiology of Disease: A Historical Review (BIO2510.20)*

This biology course examines the role of microbes (bacteria, viruses, protozoans and fungi) in European and world history. In order to understand why these organisms have caused widespread suffering throughout world history, we first examine what constitutes disease, the conditions that may predetermine their outbreak at a particular point in history, and how modern medical science is trying to alleviate disease with both drugs and vaccines. Student will learn the basic science of how and why infections and disease occur. This will provide a foundation for examining how various epidemics and plagues may have shaped history, and caused social change. We will be starting from early times, proceed to the plagues of the Middle Ages (such as the black Death), examine the spread of disease from Europe to and from the Americas, and finish with the modern plague, AIDS, as well as new emerging diseases. Specific disease examples from Italy (such as the demise of Paestum due to malaria) will also be addressed.  Both ancient and modern bioterrorism will also be covered.   Our examination of this fascinating subject will be accomplished through lectures, as well as readings and discussions of numerous text and research articles.   (4 credits)

Professor James Daly, Purchase College 

*This course is approved for the Natural Sciences General Education category.