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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

History, Science, and Medicine

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History Fields of Study or Degree Options

The History, Science and Medicine (HS&M) track is a collaborative program of the Department of History and the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science. The major is designed for students interested in both sciences and humanities, and in the interactions between the two.  It is also especially useful for students contemplating medical school, since it allows them to study the history of medicine, biology, and allied sciences in conjunction with fulfilling the pre-med science requirements. 

Gateway Course (one course)—HISTORY 140A. The Scientific Revolution (formerly HISTORY 232F)

Methodological Cluster (three courses)—These History courses focus on the history of science, technology, and medicine. For 2008-2009, these courses are:

HISTORY 44N. The History of Women and Gender in Science, Medicine, and Engineering

HISTORY 46N. Science and Magic

HISTORY 242G. Representing the World: Maps, Statistics, and Photography

HISTORY 243C. Eighteenth Century Colonial Science and Medicine

HISTORY 243G. Tobacco and Health in World History

HISTORY 243K. Endangered Species

HPS 154. What is Science? Explaining Nature from Pythagoras to Popper

HPS 156. History of Women and Medicine in the United States

CLASSGEN 22. Technologies of Civilization: Writing, Numbers, and Money

Geographical Cluster (four courses)—Students select four History courses in one geographic area. Examples include: Europe, Britain and the countries of the former British Empire, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, or Africa. These four courses must be taken in addition to the three methodological cluster courses. Courses in the history of science, technology, and medicine that have a geographic focus may be used to fulfill this requirement, but cannot be double-counted in the methodological cluster.

Interdisciplinary Cluster (four courses)—Students select four courses in scientific disciplines and/or in philosophy of science, anthropology of science, or sociology of science. These courses require faculty adviser pre-approval.

Research Seminar for Majors (HISTORY 209S)—Fulfills the Writing in the Major requirement.

General Requirements—Like all history majors, students in History Interdisciplinary Programs must complete two lecture courses (one Europe or US, one Africa, Asia, Middle East or Latin America), two 200-level courses, a Sources & Methods seminar, and a Research Seminar for Majors.

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