Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
History & Health
Module code
1401
Module Organiser
Dr Alex Mold
Contact email
Alex.Mold@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Public Health & Policy
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Public health history, Sexual & reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, Health systems,
Drugs, Tropical medicine, Sanitation
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To enable students to employ historical perspectives in the critical evaluation
of issues in public health and health services.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Locate developments in public health and health services within historical
context, in both developed and developing countries;
Recognise the nature of historical debate and the contested status of
historical claims;
Analyse original documents in order to assess a significant historical
question;
Evaluate the historical dimensions of on-going public health issues.
This module is suitable for students on any MSc.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):
 Responses to epidemic diseases, with case studies of cholera and smallpox.
 Urban sanitary reform and its relation to the modern rise in life expectancy.
 The response of the liberal democracies in the West to the health
challenges of sexually transmitted disease and drink and drug use.
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The development of the medical profession, and the coming of 20th century
welfare states in which health services became central political matters.
Public health in the twentieth century and the international rise of health
promotion.
Our focus is largely on Britain, the US, Germany, and also on public health
and health systems in developing countries.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Source material for essays available on Moodle or through the Library.
Teaching and learning
methods
Lectures provide an introduction to themes and debates in the history of public
health, to the work of well-known historians, and to methods of historical
research. Seminars follow a workshop format, in which we critically assess
original sources on public health, including documents, film, cartoons and
posters; preparatory reading for these seminars is essential. There will be a
visit to the LSHTM Archive and Library to examine historical evidence and
sources. Guidance will be provided on the choice of historical research
assignment from a list of topics, and advice given on relevant documentary and
secondary sources.
Assessment details
Assessment is by an individual historical research assignment.
This takes the form of a 3,000 word essay. Students may choose from a list of
essay titles or devise their own topic. For students who are required to re-sit,
or granted a deferral or new attempt, the task will be a 3,000 word essay.
Assessment dates
Assessments will be due on Friday 12 February 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the next assessment deadline will be the standard School recommended date in
mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Thursday 14 January 2016 and finish on
Friday 12 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C2.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 30 hours
Directed self-study ≈ 36 hours
Self-directed learning ≈ 14 hours
Assessment, review and revision ≈ 70 hours
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APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
No prior knowledge of historical methods is assumed, although attendance on
Principles of Social Research (1104) in Term 1 will be advantageous.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 20 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students, particularly those registered
for specific courses or who have taken specific prior modules, where
applicable, and LSHTM research degree students. Other applicants meeting the
entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the order applications are
received, until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may be placed on a
waiting list and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module, although the assessment for research degrees
students is optional.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
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For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.
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If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by, at the latest, 8 weeks prior to the start
of the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the
first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 20 July 2015 by Alex Mold
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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