History of Science, History of Medicine courses
Director of undergraduate studies: Steven Pincus, 216 HGS, 432-1355, steven.pincus@yale.edu; Adviser: Paola Bertucci, 300G HGS, 432-1397, paola.bertucci@yale.edu
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE, HISTORY OF MEDICINE
Professors Dimitri Gutas (Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations), Daniel Kevles, Jennifer Klein (History), Joanne Meyerowitz (History), David Musto, Cynthia Russett (History), Frank Snowden (History), John Warner
Associate Professor Naomi Rogers
Assistant Professors Paola Bertucci, Mariola Espinosa, William Rankin, Bruno Strasser
Senior Lecturer Bettyann Kevles
Lecturers Sherwin Nuland, William Summers, Rebecca Tannenbaum (History)
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 thirteen courses in addition to the prerequisites. The thirteen courses must form a coherent whole, designed in consultation with the Adviser for the major. The prerequisites for the major are two term courses in science, with two terms of laboratory work, and one course chosen from MATH 112 or STAT 101–106 or equivalent. Beyond the prerequisites, the program requires four term courses in History of Science, History of Medicine; one junior seminar in HSHM; a second junior seminar in either History or HSHM; one term course in science at an intermediate level; and four additional courses. These additional courses may be drawn from history, the natural and social sciences, and other areas such as medical anthropology, bioethics, philosophy of science, and medical sociology. Beginning with the Class of 2013, courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the requirements of the major. Students also write a senior essay for two course credits taken as HSHM 490, 491. See under History for details of preregistration for junior seminars; see the course descriptions for HSHM 490, 491 for senior essay requirements.
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.
Majors are also required to take a library research colloquium for the senior essay in the fall term of the senior year. Those planning to begin work on their senior essay in January should attend the colloquium in the previous September. Students should register for the colloquium on the Yale Library Web site.
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 112 or 1 term from STAT 101–106 or equivalent; 2 term courses in science with 2 terms of lab
Number of courses 13 courses beyond prereqs (incl senior essay)
Distribution of courses 4 courses in HSHM; 1 intermediate science course; 1 HSHM junior sem; 1 addtl junior sem in either HSHM or History; 4 addtl courses
Other Library orientation
Senior requirement Senior essay (HSHM 490, 491) and library research colloquium
