The course explores the history of medicine from the early 1800s through the present day. Topics covered include the history of public health, germ theory, medical technology, surgery, empire and medicine, health insurance, and mind-body medicine. Hands-on work at the Wangensteen Historical Library will also enrich our understanding of diseases as more than objective biological entities. Special attention is paid to the ways culture, race, and economy have shaped the history of healthcare over time.