MA History of Science, Technology and Medicine / Course details

On the eve of the UK general elections of 2019, the chief executive of the NHS, Chris Hopson made an appeal to all the political parties urging them not to politicize the NHS during the election campaign. Taking a cue from this, the unit will explore the question of politics inherent in the history of modern public health. It will explore how historically access to or even the lack of health and welfare facilities have been defined by political processes and choices. Accessing various historical and contemporary cases, this unit will establish that public health was and continues to be politically defined. This will help students interested in public health to appreciate that even the future questions of public health might depend on political processes.

The unit will be taught in six two-hour seminar sessions, where we will discuss a range of required readings (primary and secondary). While students are asked to read all required readings for the week, they will be expected to assign themselves a reading which they introduce and discuss to the group as a whole, analysing the author’s argument and placing it in context. All readings will be made available through Blackboard, and the course handbook will contain a number of questions that are designed to focus the students’ reading and act as prompts for the seminar discussion. The unit lead will start each seminar by giving a short (5-10 minute) background introduction, and discussion will then centre on the key readings and questions. Seminar performance is not marked, but each student will be expected to contribute equally. 

- Demonstrate extensive knowledge of major trends in the provision and politics of public health, from the nineteenth century to the present day, and in European and global contexts.

Detailed written feedback, delivered electronically and in person if requested. 

• Cummins I. The Impact of Austerity on Mental Health Service Provision: A UK Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6):1145. Published 2018 Jun 1. doi:10.3390/ijerph15061145
• Ryan, Frances. Crippled¿: Austerity and the Demonization of Disabled People. London¿;: Verso, 2019
• Szreter, Simon. “Rethinking McKeown: the Relationship between Public Health and Social Change.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 92, no. 5, 2002, pp. 722–5.
• Colgrove, James. “The McKeown Thesis: a Historical Controversy and Its Enduring Influence.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 92, no. 5, 2002, pp. 725–9.
• Stewart, John. The Battle for Health: a Political History of the Socialist Medical Association, 1930-51.
• Murray, David Stark. Why a National Health Service? : the Part Played by the Socialist Medical Association. London, Pemberton Books, 1971
• Ziersch, A M, and F E Baum. “Involvement in Civil Society Groups: Is It Good for Your Health?” Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 58, no. 6, 2004, p. 493.
• Marmot, Michael. “Fair Society Healthy Lives.” Inequalities in Health. Oxford University Press, 2013