ANTH 3520 Our Most Unwelcome Guests: Human Co-Evolution With Pathogens

This course provides students with an understanding of the dynamic interplay between human cultures and pathogens. It provides an historical as well as an etiological perspective of the dramatic turn our species takes, starting with the advent of agriculture and the rise of civilizations throughout the world. Special attention is given to the inadvertent “biological warfare” ensuing from human migration, trade routes, and colonial expansion; the role that cultural beliefs and practices play in spreading or containing disease agents, and the nascent forensic analyses that lead to the discovery of our “most unwelcome guests.” Prerequisite(s): Course UCC Area 6 pre-requisites
Credits: 3.0