AIDS: Politics, Science, and Dread Disease

A Senior Seminar*

School of Natural Science

Hampshire College

 

Student run; Alan H. Goodman, Ph.D., supervisor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Mon. 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Fall 1988

 

Course Description:

 

The spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a recent human concern of vast proportion requiring multilevel understanding and action. While the origin and transmission of AIDS are immunological and epidemiological concerns, the "disease that AIDS causes" affects our entire social, political, and economic fabric.

 

This seminar, designed largely by Division III students, will focus on a variety of issues in the politics and science of AIDS. The first half of the semester will be devoted to general topics such as overviews of AIDS epidemiology and immunology, controversies in the diagnosis of immune positivity, AIDS research funding patterns, contrasts in responses to AIDS by country, and historical comparisons of AIDS with previous "dread disease." The second half of the course will function as a "works-in-progress" seminar.

 

Requirements and Expectations:

 

This is an upper-level integrated course. Its main purpose is to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on a wide range of concerns centered on the AIDS pandemic. In addition to the usual responsibilities for keeping up with the class reading and events and contributing to discussions, all students are expected to make contributions to class organization and direction and "run" one class.

 

Additionally, those using this class as a "presentation to the community/ works in progress" seminar will be expected to make both an interim and final report on their Division III work. Those using this class as an advanced work/integrative seminar will be expected to submit a final project (to be agreed upon with the instructor).

 

Readings:

 

The amount of literature being produced on AIDS is phenomenal. Because things are changing so rapidly it has not been possible to use a single text. Thus, there is no required book for the class. Readings for this class will either be distributed in class or put on reserve in the Hampshire Library.

 

Organization:

 

The following is a tentative syllabus for the first few weeks of the semester. The entire syllabus will "evolve" with the input of those in the class.

 

September 12           Introduction and Overview

 

September 19           The Search for Origins

 

September 26           What Causes AIDS?  The HIV story and more ...

The Dusberg (AIDS = syphilis) controversy

 

October 3                   The picture today--a primer on AIDS epidemiology

 

 

* This course was designed by a group of students completing senior theses on AIDS related issues.