To explore human experiments in histories of American medicine from social, cultural and bioethical perspectives;

To develop historical, critical and ethical awareness through exposure to histories of human experiments;

To introduce students to a wide range of primary sources and critical literatures, in particular the key concepts, debates and approaches used in the historiographies of American medicine and human experiments.

(LO1) An ability to read, analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon primary sources.

(LO2) An ability to read, analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon secondary evidence, including historical writings and the interpretations of historians.

(LO3) An understanding of histories of human experimentation in the United States and an awareness of the ethical issues raised by these experiments.

(S1) Confidence, independence of mind, responsibility, organisation and time-management.

(S2) The ability to work collaboratively and to participate in group discussion

(S3) Gathering, analysing and organising information, including online and digital resources.

(S4) Structure, coherence, clarity and fluency of oral expression.

(S5) Structure, coherence, clarity and fluency of written expression

The module is taught in seminars totalling 33 hours. There is a three hour seminar every week.
The seminars vary from week to week and include: discussion of key concepts and critical literatures, workshops on archives and the research process, and analysis of primary sources. The seminars are also used for feedback and guidance relating to the assignments. Contemporary cultural debates, theoretical perspectives and foundational texts are discussed in the early meetings, followed by an exploration of significant case studies that raise particular bioethical problems including: medical experiments on the enslaved, on women; on infants and children, on the disabled, on prisoners, on workers and soldiers. Other seminars are devoted to detailed analysis of evidence including: official reports, institutional records, newspapers, medical case narratives, photographs and other visual sources, and the life stories of doctors and patients.

Teaching method 1 - seminar.
Three hour seminar every week. The seminars vary from week to week and include: discussion of key concepts and critical literatures, workshops on archives and the research process, and analysis of primary sources. The seminars are also used for feedback and guidance relating to the assignments.