History of Science, History of Medicine
History
of Science, History of Medicine courses
History of Science, History of Medicine
program home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Robert Harms, 237 HGS, 432-1355, robert.harms@yale.edu; Adviser: Susan Lederer, L126 SHM, 785-4338, susan.lederer@yale.edu [F]; Ole Molvig, 300G HGS, 432-1397, ole.molvig@yale.edu [Sp]
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE, HISTORY OF MEDICINE
Professors
Joseph Fruton (Emeritus), Dimitri Gutas (Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations), Daniel Kevles (Chair), Martin Klein (Emeritus), Joanne Meyerowitz (History), David Musto, Cynthia Russett (History), Frank Snowden (History), William Summers, Frank Turner (History), John Warner
Associate Professors
Susan Lederer, Naomi Rogers
Assistant Professors
Cynthia Connolly (School of Nursing), Jennifer Klein (History), Ole Molvig, Bruno Strasser
Senior Lecturer
Bettyann Kevles
Lecturers
David Miller, Rebecca Tannenbaum (History)
Senior Lector
Ann Ellis Hanson (Classics)
History of Science, History of Medicine is an interdisciplinary program of studies leading toward an understanding of the development of science and medicine and their impact on society. It explores intellectual and cultural traditions, institutions, techniques, and practices; the social uses of science and medicine; the creation of science-based technologies; and the relations of science, medicine, and public health to the state. The program offers students considering a career in medicine, public health, or other fields of health care a way of combining the requirements of their preprofessional training with a broad liberal education. It also provides excellent preparation for many other careers in which a contextualized understanding of science and medicine is essential, including areas of law, industry, journalism, museum work, public policy, and government.
The major in History of Science, History of Medicine requires completion of at least thirteen courses in addition to the prerequisites. The prerequisites for the major are one yearlong course in science, including laboratory work, and one term course chosen from MATH 112a or b or STAT 101a–106a or equivalent. Beyond the prerequisites, the program requires four term courses in History of Science, History of Medicine; the junior seminar HSHM 328a or b, Methods and Literature in the History of Science and Medicine; and six additional term courses chosen in consultation with the Adviser for History of Science, History of Medicine. These six courses normally include at least one term course in science at an intermediate level and at least one History junior seminar (HIST 400–493) or History of Science, History of Medicine seminar (HSHM 400–469). Other courses may be drawn from history, the natural and social sciences, and other areas. Examples of other subjects often counted toward the major are medical anthropology, bioethics, philosophy of science, and medical sociology. Students also write a senior essay for two course credits taken as HSHM 490a or b, 491a or b. See under History in the text above for details of preregistration for junior seminars; see under HSHM 490a or b, 491a or b for requirements for the senior essay. The thirteen courses must form a coherent whole, designed in consultation with the Adviser for the major.
Library orientation. All majors are required to complete a ninety-minute introductory research session for historians by the end of the third week of the junior year. Several library orientation sessions are offered at the beginning of each term. Students are strongly encouraged to take this class during their sophomore year; indeed, sophomores who have not taken the library orientation before the end of February will not be permitted to preregister for the following year's junior seminars. Students may offer no substitutions for this orientation. Students should register on the Yale Library Web site. For questions students should contact the Adviser for the major.
Majors are also required to take a library resource and methods colloquium in the fall term of the senior year. Students planning to begin work on their senior essay in January should attend the colloquium in the previous September.
The undergraduate major is administered by the Department of History in cooperation with the Section of the History of Medicine in the School of Medicine. Questions about the History of Science, History of Medicine major should be directed to the Adviser for the major.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites: MATH 112a or b or 1 term from STAT 101a–106a or equivalent; 1 year science course with lab
Number of courses: 13 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior essay)
Specific course required: HSHM 328a or b
Distribution of courses: 4 term courses in HSHM; 6 addtl term courses chosen in consultation with HSHM Adviser, including 1 in science at intermediate level and 1 Hist or HSHM sem (HIST 400–493 or HSHM 400–469)
Senior requirement: Senior essay (HSHM 490a or b, 491a or b)
