Medicine in Motion, Lab Exercises

I apply for Alumni Class Funds to support the development of lab exercises for STS.041 Medicine in Motion. This new course, which explores the history of exercise in preventing and curing physical and mental illness from ancient civilizations to the modern American healthcare system, combines readings and discussion with experiential learning in weekly labs that invite students to do the exercises we read about. This approach enhances students' learning by enabling them to (1) viscerally experience otherwise foreign concepts in medical history, (2) explore primary sources in novel ways—for example, reenacting historical exercise programs as opportunities for close study of texts, and (3) deepen their understanding of the challenges of integrating scientific discovery into everyday life.