Explore culturally significant infectious disease outbreaks in modern history through the lenses of popular culture and mass media and scientific journals and evidence. In this course, you will gain insight into the role of popular culture and mass media on society?s understanding of and focus on various infectious diseases and their impact on public health. Through weekly discussions, your understanding of infectious diseases will evolve. Discover how viewing infectious diseases, outbreaks, and epidemics through the lens of science or popular culture can influence your perceptions, fears, and reactions. Gain critical insights into the effects of media on public health and how it can either amplify or alleviate the impact of outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. This course will explore infectious diseases, epidemics, outbreaks, and pop culture moments throughout modern history, including the black plague, Spanish flu, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, mad cow disease, zombies, Anthrax, COVID-19, and more. Recommended prerequisite: General Biology.
Gopher Grades is maintained by Social Coding with data from Summer 2017 to Spring 2026 provided by the University in response to a public records request