MASTERS PROGRAMME IN THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE - School of Historical Studies Northern Centre for the History of Medicine
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School of Historical Studies
Northern Centre for the History of Medicine
MASTERS PROGRAMME
IN THE HISTORY OF
MEDICINE
For students with backgrounds in the
Humanities & Social Sciences as well
as Medicine and Physical Sciences
Contents Masters Programme in the History of Medicine for students with backgrounds in the Humanities & Social Sciences as well as Medicine and Physical Sciences Why study the History of Medicine? 3 History of Medicine at Newcastle University 4 The Northern Centre for the History of Medicine 5 The MA in the History of Medicine 6 Who is the programme for? 6 Structure of the programme 6 Duration of the programme – Full-time and part-time study 6 Core and Compulsory Modules 7 Special Study Options 7 Dissertation 10 Postgraduate culture 10 Staff Contributing to the MA 11 Student Perspective 11 Applications 12 Funding and further information 12 Cover image: Aesculapius, Greek god of 'Wound man'. From: Anathomia, medicine, flanked by Apollo and (English) by: (Pseudo) Galen. Hippocrates. 18th century oil by J. Prey. Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Library, London. 2
Why study the History of Medicine?
Throughout human history, people have been concerned with health and
disease, birth, life and death, pleasure and pain – both as patients and as
providers of treatment, care and guidance. History of Medicine as an
academic discipline is interested in the question of how individual people,
and societies at large, have experienced, understood and responded to these
fundamental givens of the human condition, how these responses have
changed through time, and how these changes can be explained by reference
to the historical contexts in which they occurred.
History of Medicine is an writers. It examines the relations
interdisciplinary field involving between patients and doctors and
collaboration between students and their mutual expectations, the variety
scholars from a wide variety of of health-suppliers in the ‘medical
backgrounds in the arts, humanities market-place’, the social position and
and social sciences as well as medicine careers of healers, and the ethical
and the physical sciences. It is much standards and expectations they were
more than the history of a small elite required to live up to. It also covers
of doctors and medical scientists the history of diseases and the history
making great discoveries in hospitals of the body and demands the
or laboratories. The patient is also very examination of a wide range of
much part of the picture. Historically, sources, from the textual and visual to W. C. Roentgen
health and disease have affected the artefactual and palaeopathological. looking into an
everyone, having a profound effect on X-ray screen.
For further information see Chromolithograph.
the way people organised their
www.ncl.ac.uk/historical/ Wellcome Library,
lifestyles, diets, and hygiene, and how
medicine/why.htm London.
they coped with pain, illness and
death. Thus the History of Medicine
studies not only the writings and ideas
of learned doctors, but also the role of
health, disease and healing in the lives
of ordinary people and in the
imagination of artists and creative
3
History of Medicine at Newcastle University
Newcastle University has an international reputation for its
research and teaching in the History of Medicine. It was
awarded 5* (international excellence) in the 2001 Research
Assessment Exercise, and it has been notably successful in
attracting Wellcome Trust and Research Council funding.
In our teaching, we cover the whole Our University benefits from excellent
history of medicine from the History of Medicine research
prehistoric and classical age to the collections in the Robinson
21st century. Particular areas of (University) Library, including the
interest are the following: Pybus Collection (a rich array of
• Greek and Roman medicine and its historical medical works from the
reception in later times 16th century onwards) and the
A surgeon binding
• Historical responses to mental illness Medical Collection (an extensive range a woman's arm
and disability of 18th-19th century medical books after bloodletting.
• The history of medical ethics and pamphlets). Oil painting by J.
• The history of the body, gender,
For further information see
Toorenvliet, 1666.
Wellcome Library,
sexuality and contraception
www.ncl.ac.uk/historical/medicine/ London.
• Medicine, language and literature
• Medicine and fine art
• The history of nutrition, famine,
death and mortality
• Bio-archaeology and the history of
disease
History of Medicine at Newcastle
features a regular seminar series (the
Pybus Seminars) with distinguished
speakers from across the world. We
have hosted a number of international
conferences, such as the International
Hippocrates Colloquium and the
annual Approaches to Ancient
Medicine, as well as high profile public
lectures in the History of Medicine.
4
The Northern Centre for the History of Medicine
Operating
theatre, Royal
Victoria Infirmary,
Newcastle. c.
1913; photograph.
Wellcome Library,
London.
As a Masters student in Newcastle, you will benefit from Newcastle’s
partnership in the Northern Centre for the History of Medicine (NCHM).
The Northern Centre is a collaborative research centre consisting of the medical
historians at Newcastle and Durham Universities, generously funded since 2003
by the Wellcome Trust’s Enhancement and Strategic Award schemes.
Our 2007 Strategic Award (the highest It includes collaborative projects
level of Wellcome Trust support), focusing on 6 key areas:
places the Northern Centre in the top • Histories and Traditions of Medical
league of History of Medicine Centres Knowledge
in the UK. The activities of the NCHM • Histories of Medical Practice, Ethics
comprise a strategic research and Expertise
programme, Masters training • Historical Responses to Mental
programmes in the History of Illness and Disability
Medicine and in the History and • History of Bodies, Sexualities and
Philosophy of Science and Medicine Reproduction
(HPSM), a number of PhD projects, a • Geographies and Archaeologies of
series of seminars/workshops/ Health and Disease
conferences, teaching initiatives within • The History of the Communication
the medical curriculum, and a series of of Medical Ideas and of the
public engagement activities. Representation of Medical Themes in
The Northern Centre’s current Literature and Fine Art
research agenda comprises a 5-year
For further information on the staff
programme of activities under the
and activities of the Northern
title Knowledge, Ethics and
Centre, see www.nchm.ac.uk
Representation of Medicine and
Health – Historical Perspectives.
5
The MA in the History of Medicine
This MA in the History of Medicine is a Wellcome Trust recognised
postgraduate course that meets a growing demand from the
academic and medical community. The programme provides the
necessary research training that will either link into further PhD
study or act as a stand alone MA. Candidates who have
successfully completed the programme will be eligible to take part
in the annual Wellcome Trust PhD studentship competition.
Who is the programme for? Duration of the programme –
The programme is open to highly Full-time and part-time study
motivated graduates from a variety of The programme can be taken both
backgrounds, including subjects full-time and part-time. When taken
within the Arts, Humanities and Social full-time, the programme takes 12
Sciences. Those with a medical or months (October-September); when
science background, or people wishing part-time, 24 months. The part-time
to add a historical dimension to their route through the programme Lecture on
work in the health care professions, normally involves doing no more than pneumatics at the
Royal Institution,
are also strongly encouraged to apply. 40-60 credits per semester over 2
London. Col.
(Each year we have a mixture of years, but is devised flexibly in etching by J. Gillray,
medical and non-medical students.) consultation with the Degree 1802. Wellcome
Programme Director. Library, London.
Structure of the programme
The programme incorporates 3
compulsory formal research training
components (10 credits each), during
which students develop research skills
and methodologies; a compulsory
core module ‘Introduction to the
History of Medicine’ (30 credits), and
2 special study options (60 credits); it
culminates in the completion of an
intensively researched dissertation
(60 credits). Study consists mainly of
seminars, tutorials and independent
learning.
6
Core and Compulsory Modules
The core module ‘Introduction to the
History of Medicine’ examines the
ways in which health and disease have
been historically, socially and culturally
embedded through time, via thematic
study of the historical relationship
between medicine and other major
aspects of human society and culture.
This module, in combination with the
compulsory research training modules,
‘Research Training in the Arts and
Humanities’, ‘Research Methods in
History’, and ‘Dissertation Training’,
provides you with the key intellectual, The Classical Foundations John Banester
written and oral skills needed to of Medical Science giving the visceral
complete a successful Masters in the What is the nature of medical lecture at Barber-
Surgeons' Hall,
subject. These modules develop critical knowledge? Is it "hard" science or a London, 1581.
engagement with major humane art? What is the relation Oil by J. Orr after
historiographical and theoretical between medical theory and an English painter.
approaches and debates pertinent to practice? Where do "skill" and "craft" Wellcome Library,
the history of medicine (and historical come in? What role does the patient London.
studies more broadly). They also play in the process? These and related
embrace a range of more practical questions are obviously of
guidance and skills acquisition, from fundamental importance to
source identification, referencing and medicine's success, status and social
analysis, to oral presentation and justification. In this option, we will
completion of written assignments. concentrate on the ways in which
these questions were addressed in
Special Study Options classical Greek and Roman medicine.
As well as these core and research We will examine the epistemological
training modules, the Newcastle foundations of medicine as advanced
History of Medicine programme offers by the Hippocratic writers, Plato,
a number of special study options, Aristotle, Galen, and the so-called
taught via a combination of tutorial/ medical "sects" of Dogmatists,
seminar/lecture style meetings and Empiricists and Methodists. We will
tutor facilitated self-study. What focus on the issues on which they
follows is a sample of typical options agreed and profoundly disagreed and
(NB options may vary from year on what we can learn from their
to year): debates for the present.
7
The “Hippocratic” Oath
The “Hippocratic” Oath is one of the
most remarkable texts in the history
of Western medicine and culture. Its
continuous reception in Roman,
Byzantine, Persian-Arabic, Latin
Medieval, Renaissance, Early Modern
and Modern times has resulted in a
popularity in modern societies
unrivalled by any other ancient text.
Yet, to this day, fundamental
questions remain about its
authorship, date, provenance, reading
and transmission as well as the The Archaeology of Health and Disease Hospital of
meaning of its covenant and The depicted, described and buried Bethlehem
undertakings. This special study bodies, and even artefacts for the care [Bedlam], at
Moorfields, London.
option takes us on a journey through of the body from archaeological Col. engraving 1810.
Western medical history from ancient contexts may be viewed as Wellcome Library,
to modern times, highlighting the statements that were intentionally London.
inseparability of medicine from created by past communities. Thus
language, philosophy, politics, religion, the physical remains of human bodies
sociology, economy, and art(s). and material culture accompanying
them provide insights into the variety
of diseases present in the past, and a Representation of
basis for investigating a broad range Hippocrates. From a
of important social and late 15th cent. Latin
translation of the
anthropological questions, including Aphorisms.
attitudes towards disease and the ill, Wellcome Library,
social organisation, gender and age London.
relations, and social inequality. A
variety of approaches pertaining to
the human body, both as a physical
and as a cultural entity, inform this
multi-disciplinary module.
Palaeopathological as well as
archaeological evidence are
scrutinized for their ability to yield
information on disease and ideas of
disease in the past.
8
Medical and Social Responses to surrounded the dead in early modern
Madness and Mental Disabilities, ca. England put our twenty-first century
1650-1850 attitudes to death and dying in a new
This option examines changing notions light. Seminar topics for this module
of mental afflictions and social include: ‘death rates and their causes’;
responses to them from the mid- the ‘art of dying’; ‘funerals and their
seventeenth to the mid-nineteenth meanings’; ‘memorialization and the
century. Focusing primarily on British deceased’; ‘burial practices and their
source materials, we examine the shift meanings’; ‘the corpse and its
from ‘mad-doctoring’ to mental treatment’; and ‘post mortem,
medicine, and changes in the bodysnatching and resurrection’. The
professional practice, status and course also includes a fieldtrip to St
identity of lunacy specialists before the Nicholas Cathedral (Newcastle) and
term ‘psychiatry’ had been invented. its monuments.
We explore the shift from familial and
community-based provision for the Devices and Desires: Birth Control,
mentally disordered towards Sexuality and Reproduction
institutional and state provision, Global population growth continues to
addressing themes such as the so- make headlines in the press today at a
called ‘Great Confinement’ of the time when there is wide availability of
insane and ‘the trade in lunacy’. We contraceptives and extensive family A physician by his
also analyse the transition from planning programmes are operating in patient's death-
‘terrific’ forms of treatment to a most less developed countries. England bed. Col. etching
by R. Newton after
‘moral’ therapy from the 1790s. and most Western European countries
T.Rowlandson,
Rather than focusing merely on experienced a substantial decline in 1813? Wellcome
medical actors, we investigate a range their fertility in late 19th and early Library, London.
of social players, especially patients’
own views of their treatment and
experiences.
Death and Burial Cultures
in Britain, 1550-1832
This is a module about death, burial
and commemoration. It takes as its
starting point the belief that by
studying what might be thought to
be a gloomy topic, we can uncover a
great deal about the past. The
attitudes, practices and beliefs that
9
20th century, when considerably less
efficient contraceptive methods were
available. This module examines what
contraceptive methods were available
to the population, how widespread
was the knowledge of these methods
and who among the population was
prepared to employ them. It also
investigates the major technological
advances and the intellectual debates
concerning the acceptability of using
methods of birth control within
marriage.
Dissertation
The dissertation is the culmination of
your Masters study and training, and
your chance to develop your most
sustained and distinctive research Postgraduate culture ‘Enjoying the good
assignment. It is a self-study project, As a Masters student in Newcastle, life. The medical
on a topic of your own choice, strongly you will be welcomed to a vibrant student’. Lithograph
by the Perrotta
informed by the research interests and research culture within the School of brothers after
expertise of your supervisor. Generally, Historical Studies (which includes Colomnca [?].
you begin working on this dissertation Classics, History and Archaeology). You Wellcome Library,
from March/April, though you will will be expected to participate actively London.
concentrate exclusively on this in Postgraduate Forums/Conferences,
assignment during the summer term. as well as in the School’s research
Primary guidance will be provided via seminars. You will further have the
meetings with your supervisor(s), but opportunity to attend relevant course
key training and formative assessment components of the Durham MA in
will be delivered via the Dissertation HPSM and to utilise Durham
Workshop and Research Methods in University’s Library Facilities.
History modules, as well as via a Additionally you will take part in two
further summer workshop, conducted collaborative workshops with Durham
jointly with HPSM students from the HPSM students, and will be invited to
Durham University side of the seminars and other activities held
Northern Centre. within the Durham part of the
Northern Centre.
10Staff and Students
Staff Contributing to the MA
Dr Jonathan Andrews, whose main PD Dr Thomas Rütten, whose main
research interests are in the history of research interests are in classical,
Josephine Ebelewicz,
psychiatry, mental health and the medieval and early modern medicine, in full-time student,
‘asylum’; forensic psychiatry, criminal particular the reception(s) of 2007-08
lunacy and crime; early modern Hippocratic medicine and the history of
social and cultural history; medical ethics; the history of medical
domestic/household medicine; and historiography; the history and
travel and medicine. iconography of melancholy and
psychopathology; the interface between
Prof. Jeremy Boulton, whose main
medicine, literature and fine art.
research interests are in the history of
poverty, poor relief, death and health
care in pre-industrial England. Student Perspective
Prof. Philip van der Eijk, whose main "Taking this course has given me a greater understanding
research interests are in ancient of how history is written and constructed and the ways in
medicine and philosophy; the history of which it requires analysis. The course offers the
medical historiography; the opportunity to focus on and develop personal interests by
communication and dissemination of way of written assignments which are supported by
medical ideas in antiquity; the individual sessions with lecturers. I have particularly
comparative history of medicine in the enjoyed being part of the vibrant academic community
Eastern Mediterranean; and the history within the School of Historical Studies as a whole, which
of melancholy and mental illness. offers a rich learning environment and considerable
Dr Violetta Hionidou, whose main opportunities for experiencing aspects of academic life".
research interests are in historical Josephine Ebelewicz, full-time student, 2007-08
demography and the history of
nutrition, famine and mortality, and “I decided to study the history of medicine as an intercalated
the history of fertility, birth control year out of my medical degree to give me the opportunity to
and contraception. step out of the medical world and to read, think and learn
about other aspects of medicine. I believe that medical
students at Newcastle are very lucky to have the opportunity
to study such an interdisciplinary subject, which develops
Heather Traynor,
full-time student, skills otherwise untouched within a medical degree, and gives
2007-08 a new dimension to the subject of medicine. Newcastle is a
fantastic place to learn: the introductory course is well
taught, and the tutors have such wide ranging areas of study
that the interests of students within the field can always be
accommodated”.
Heather Traynor, full-time student, 2007-08
11Applications Funding and further information
Applications for the Masters are invited Various forms of funding are available The information in
from highly motivated graduates from for Masters (and further this brochure was
correct at the time
various backgrounds including the Postgraduate) study at Newcastle. A
of publication
Humanities, Medicine/Health Care and number of Wellcome funded Masters (spring 2008).
the Social Sciences (e.g. History, Studentships (both full-time and Please check the
Classics, Archaeology, Philosophy, part-time) are available each year programme website
Literature, Religious Studies, that cover fees plus a contribution to for updates:
Psychology, Sciences, Sociology etc.). maintenance. Applicants offered an www.ncl.ac.uk/histo
rical/postgrad/taugh
Applicants require a good (or MA place additionally have the
t/ma_medicine.htm
predicted) undergraduate degree result option to apply for UK Research
(1st or high 2:1) in such a subject. Council funding if eligible. Designed by Smith
Creative, Newcastle.
Applications from overseas For specific inquiries about funding Printed by Public ID
for PG study in the history of © Newcastle
candidates with equivalent
University, 2008
qualifications are very welcome. medicine at Newcastle, see
www.ncl.ac.uk/historical/postgrad/
Intercalation route taught/ma_medicine.htm See also
for medical students www.ncl.ac.uk/historical/postgrad/ &
This MA is also open to Newcastle www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding
medical students who have opted to
take the MA in the History of For further information about
Medicine as an intercalated degree postgraduate study in the School of
after stage 4 MBBS. Historical Studies see
www.ncl.ac.uk/historical/postgrad/ or
All candidates should apply for a contact the School's Postgraduate
place on the programme by Secretary, Mrs Sandra Fletcher, at Queue of hospital
completing and submitting the Sandra.Fletcher@newcastle.ac.uk, visitors; nurse
tel. (+)44 191 2227966. collecting their
University’s online postgraduate money. Colour
application form for the MA in the For general information
lithograph after
History of Medicine regarding postgraduate study at L. C. Ibels, 1916.
www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/ Newcastle University, see Wellcome Library,
applicationforms.phtml www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/ London.
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