HIS 544SEM - History of the Body

This seminar seeks to explore the rich cultural history of the body by reading monographs in the fields of history, anthropology, literature, philosophy, and political science, which encompass both theoretical analyses and empirical studies of the body in varied contexts. The course focuses on, but is not limited to, the history of medicine, and scrutinizes issues of sick bodies, dissected bodies, gendered bodies, disabled bodies, and dead bodies, among others. In addition, the course discusses extensively the history of the body beyond the Western world, and explores how the body is differently understood and practiced in Asia and in Africa. In the end, by reading the body literature across disciplines, this seminar aims to not just inspect the body in various times and places, but also illuminate the understanding of our own bodies today.

Credits: 3