Health and Healing in America

This week we have been deeply immersed in David Oshinsky‘s absorbing account of the polio epidemic in mid-20th century America and the political and scientific race for a viable vaccine. We’ll conclude our discussion of this book on Monday, November 1.

Oshkinsky’s big questions include:

Why and how did one vaccine come to dominate, when there were multiple pathways to polio vaccine and little consensus on which kind of vaccine might be best?
What was the interplay between science and politics in the development of the polio vaccine?
Was polio a raging epidemic deserving of such panic and resources, or was that fear fueled/created by a powerful & well-mobilized, well-connected organization?
What conditions in the 1930s-1950s nurtured polio’s growth?
What conditions in the 1930s-1950s nurtured the growth of polio research efforts?
How did the development of a vaccine change American culture?
What contributions did the race for polio make to the system of medical and scientific research in the US?

Also, remember to consider Oshinsky’s scholarly technique:

What sources is he using?
What’s his narrative strategy – i.e. HOW is he telling this story?
Why should we care about this story?

Meantime, you are continuing to research a disease of your choice in the past. On Wed 10/27 I handed out some additional guidelines clarifying what I mean when I say that you should go beyond “web resources” to find quality research sources.

On Wednesday, Nov 3, we will have our Poster Conference Session, held in the Admin Bldg, Room 101-B (ground floor conference room near the front entrance). I would like this to be a professional-quality event showcasing your very best efforts. There will be opportunity for discussion and peer review of your colleague’s research findings.