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Drugs, Disease, and Demi-Gods: Health and Healing in the Early Modern World

Key information

  • Module code:

    5AAH1081

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

From the European household via slave ships and indigenous communities to the centres of early empire, this module will examine ideas of health and healing across the early modern world. By taking a global approach to early modern medicine, students will travel beyond the intellectual and commercial centres of European cities to diverse sites of medical practice on land and sea, across the Americas, Africa and Asia. As well as considering the place of medicine within different communities, students will examine both spiritual and natural remedies for the sick; the biological consequences of intercultural contact; the trade of exotic drugs; and the circulation of medical knowledge between cultures and across continents. A global understanding of health and healing, sickness and suffering, will allow students to diversify their understanding of early modern medicine and reflect on both the connected and disconnected nature of the early modern world.

Assessment details

1 x 1,500 word formative essay, 1 x 3,000 word essay (100%)

Teaching pattern

10 x 2 hour seminars (weekly)

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.