COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics: Introduction to Public Health

Pandemics have shaped the course of human history, exposing vulnerabilities in societal structures, governments, and health care systems. This introductory course provides a comprehensive look at how pandemics disrupt daily life and test the resilience of communities. Through an exploration of historical patterns, you’ll discover how medical knowledge, public health policies, and societal attitudes have evolved to confront outbreaks. Here, we will examine past examples of transitions in science and medical treatment, innovations in prevention and therapeutics, and developments in governmental methods of disease containment. We will also consider the past as a cautionary tale, noting how inequities, bigotry, and short-sighted approaches to public health can be exacerbated during moments of uncertainty and fear. By the end of this module, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of pandemics and their profound impact on humanity. How can we build on past lessons without repeating past mistakes?

Learning Objectives

• Understand the difference between epidemic and pandemic diseases.
• Explore how past pandemics were handled or mishandled.
• Analyze how shifting understandings of disease and medical authority transformed societal responses to pandemics.

Prior Learning

This noncredit course is beginner-friendly, with no prior expertise required. However, to ensure success, students should:

• Be comfortable reading and understanding English, as all materials are provided in English.
• Have basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, downloading/uploading files, installing software, and using applications like Microsoft Word.

These foundational skills will help you engage fully with our primarily online courses.

About the Series

This is the introductory course to the COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics series. This series offers a deep dive into six pandemics that profoundly altered human history. This interdisciplinary exploration connects the dots between scientific advances, cultural shifts, and governmental policies, revealing how societies have historically confronted widespread disease. By enrolling in the entire series, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on pandemics as recurring phenomena, equipping you with a broader understanding of how past events inform present and future challenges. Together, these courses reveal the resilience, ingenuity, and cautionary tales that pandemics bring to light.