Overview
In this lesson learners are introduced to epidemics and pandemics through an exploration of historical disease events and patterns of disease emergence. Video content from the University of Hong Kong (accessible via Coursera) provides foundational information with emphasis on the diverse array of biological, environmental, and socio-economic factors that create risk of major disease events.
Following the introductory video content, learners may be engaged in written or discussion-based analyses of these risk factors using COVID-19 as a case study.
Learners will then read a NY Times interview with Frank M. Snowden, author of “Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present” and view a documentary on the Healthy Davis Together project. Following the review of these resources, learners may engage in written or discussion-based analyses to draw connections between broader social roles and responsibilities in pandemic prevention and response, and the local strategies employed by the Davis, CA during the COVID-19 pandemic.