IS2044 — Chasing the Plague
Exploration of the scientific history and literature of plagues in Scotland, with a special focus on Edinburgh. As a city ravaged by the plague twice, Edinburgh represents the ideal location to explore how infectious disease has shaped and continues to shape culture, architecture, history, and identity. Students spend four weeks in residency in Edinburgh discovering the city, gaining a first-hand understanding of its literary and scientific history, and occasionally traveling to nearby sites. Through a mixture of in-classroom lectures and reading discussions, site-specific activities around the city, and trips to related areas, students gain a greater understanding of the impact infectious disease can have on a population. In addition to engaging literarily with the plague, students are also introduced to relevant topics in immunology and explore current research on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.