This MA encourages you to place developments within medical theory and practice in a broad social and cultural framework, and use a wide range of sources available to the historian of medicine (such as medical texts, practice records, diaries, case records, public health reports and health propaganda, and visual sources). Most modules are taught by a team of experts, ensuring that you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible.
The Term One core module ‘Themes and Methods in Medical History’ is designed to introduce you to some of the main historiographical approaches and debates within the history of medicine from the early modern period to the twenty-first century. The module focuses on the evolution of ideas, institutions and practices within medicine, the reception of new approaches and lay responses, the structure of medical practice and the medical professions, and the scientific, social and cultural context of medical intervention.
The Term Two core module, 'Matters of Life and Death' focuses on recent contributions to the discipline, providing you with the opportunity to discuss in depth methodologies and approaches, the research questions underpinning the work and theoretical frameworks, while also relating the seminars to your interests and dissertation research. By studying these texts, you will actively engage with the wide range of sources available.
The final key element is the dissertation - here you have a large amount of freedom to develop a project of your own choice with help and guidance from your supervisor who will meet with you throughout the third term. Throughout the year, you will be able to take advantage of the Department’s six research centres, especially the Centre for the History of Medicine, and participate in the lively schedule of academic research seminars, lectures and conferences.
The programme will appeal equally to those wishing to undertake further postgraduate study and those pursuing a career outside of the University, equipping you with research, writing and critical thinking skills vital in a range of professions.
Core modules
Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods
This is a compulsory 30 CATS one-term MA module will equip you with the methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. As a student on one of the four MA History courses, you are required to follow it during the Autumn Term. Teaching will be delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.
Themes and Methods in Medical History
This module is designed to introduce you to both major developments in medical thought and practice, and the main methodological approaches and debates used within the field of the history of medicine. It covers the early modern period to the twenty-first century, and invites you to think comparatively about medicine across space and time and includes sessions on Britain, Europe and global medicine and health. The module focuses on the evolution of ideas, language and technologies within medicine, the reception of these new approaches and lay responses to them, the structure of medical practice, and the scientific, social, and cultural context of medical intervention.
Matters of Life and Death: Topics in the Medical Humanities
'Matters of Life and Death' is the Term Two core module for the MA in the History of Medicine. The module, taught in the Spring Term, may also be taken by students following any other MA programme in the History Department. 'Matters of Life and Death' will address a range of topics in the history of medicine via selected books authored by teaching and research staff in the Centre for the History of Medicine, enabling close study and reflection on the various historiographical and theoretic approaches adopted in these studies, sources and methodologies. This will enable you to consider how the field is evolving and new challenges in the medical humanities. You will be encouraged to relate these surveys to your own dissertation research and approaches.
Dissertation (60 Credits)
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Religious Cultures
- Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Consumption
- Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Empire
- Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Gender and Sexuality
- Themes in the History of Science, Technology, Environment and Society, 1500-today
- You are required to take one of the above.
