Over the past 4,000 years or so of “recorded” history, there have been numerous references to cataclysmic events affecting humankind. In addition to earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, there are descriptions of both recognizable and unknown diseases affecting humans and animals. From the beginning, these diseases—along with earthquakes and other natural disasters ---were associated with supernatural events. In both animist and theistic societies, the causes were ascribed to human behaviors that displeased one or more deities. Attempts to otherwise characterize diseases (and other significant occurrences affecting human life) by the early philosopher-scientists were often met with derision and, in some instances, persecution. Vestiges of this anti-science view persist today. This lecture/discussion series will provide a survey of infectious diseases over time, highlighting their impacts on the development and decline of entire societies. It is hoped this series will provide attendees with a better means to combat some of the falsehoods surrounding the characterization, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases.

Note: This course will not meet on Tuesday, November 11 and will resume the following the Tuesday.