History 103H/S: Healing & Illness in African History             
Professor Osseo-Asare
Fall 2006 (Th 2-4)
Dwinelle 2303
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How do societies understand illness, and how do they restore good health? In this course, we explore how communities have confronted disease throughout Africa’s history.  During the first six weeks, we read about the changing role of specialist healers since the 1700s, including shamans, malams, nurses, and drug peddlers. The second half of the course turns to the history of specific diseases including malaria, AIDS, sleeping sickness, and kwashiorkor through regional case studies. Particular emphasis is placed on pre-colonial healing, medical education, colonial therapeutics, and the impact of environmental change.

This course offers participants a nuanced, historical perspective on the current health crisis in Africa. Staggering figures place the burden of global disease in Africa; not only AIDS and malaria, but also pneumonia, diarrhea and mental illness significantly affect the lives of everyday people. Studying the history of illness and healing in African societies provides a framework with which to interpret the social, political, and environmental factors shaping international health today.

 Requirements:  No previous coursework in African history is expected. Course participants will make two oral and written reports on weekly assignments. There will also be one longer research paper (12-15 pages) on the history of a particular health concern.

 © 2006, The Regents of the University of California