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Pandemics of the 20th Century

Looks back to pandemics or near pandemics in the human population that occurred in the 20th or early 21st century. Uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a blueprint for how to respond to an infectious disease outbreak, and the class will look back at other pandemics/outbreaks and determine the critical factors that led to their successful control. Looks at the 1918 influenza pandemic, the SARS outbreak of 2002-03, AIDS and HIV, the 2015-16 Zika virus and hepatitis C virus. Uses discussion groups for each pandemic and covers readings centered around a 1) clinical- or public health-topic or 2) a virus-oriented topic to give students a broad understanding of the pandemic. Looks at pandemics resulting from acute or chronic diseases, as well as diseases with different routes of transmission and incubation times. Provides a comprehensive overview of how each pandemic emerged, what key factors dictated spread in the population, and how each pathogen induced disease.