Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

History of Medicine and Life Sciences

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
MVI_008
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine; History of Medicine
ECTS
2.00
Target Audience
Life Science; Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Juris Salaks
Structure Unit Manager
Juris Salaks
Structural Unit
Institute of the History of Medicine
Contacts

Kronvalda boulevard 1, Rīga, LV-1050; mvi@rsu.lv, +371 26129464

About Study Course

Objective

To show students that the history of medicine and life sciences is a research discipline, the knowledge of which can significantly expand understanding of medical theories, practices and ethical guidelines for today.

Preliminary Knowledge

Basic preliminary knowledge of history and natural sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Upon successful completion of the study course students are expected to be able to list and describe the stages of development in the history of medicine and life sciences; describe interrelationship between the society, various branches of science and development of medicine; give a chronological account of the most important discoveries in medicine and life sciences, as well as give facts about discoveries in medicine and life sciences and explain their significance.

Skills

1.Upon successful completion of the study course, students will be able to research and evaluate historical sources, collect facts about discoveries, events and processes in the development of the history of medicine and life sciences, systematize them and draw theoretical generalizations. Students will have the ability to evaluate critically the role of discoveries in medicine, in the development of the society and in disease prevention.

Competences

1.Based on the acquired knowledge and facts, students will be able to justify the significance of breakthroughs in medicine and life sciences in relation to improvement of the life quality.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
During the study course, students do the required reading, carry out independent research work and draw up a written report.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
-
Practical class attendance (40%), tests (40%), independent research work (20%).

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introduction to the study course. Identifying the sources. Source analysis.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Medicine at the bedside [1]: Hippocratic medicine and its traditions. Health and disease in a historical context. Changing patterns of doctor-patient relationship in a historical context.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Medicine at the bedside [2]: The legacy of the Hippocratic oath and its practical application today.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Current research in the history of medicine. International perspectives.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Medicine in the library: Preservation and transmission of medical knowledge. A concept of “library medicine” and its continued role in western medicine.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Medicine in the hospital: The birth of “hospital medicine” and its role in making physical diagnosis, clinicopathological correlation and medical statistics.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Medicine in society and in the laboratory: Public health, disease prevention. Origins and influence of germ theory on medicine. Medicine as science.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Tangible heritage of history of medicine in the context of museums.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
2.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Bynum W. The history of medicine. A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, pp 169. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream

2.

Vīksna A. Dodot gaismu sadegu. Rīga: Medicīnas apgāds, 2018, 335 lpp. (only for Latvian groups)

Additional Reading

1.

Derums V. Baltijas sencilvēku slimības un tautas dziedniecība. Rīga: Zinātne, 1988, 223 lpp.

2.

Vīksna A. Ārstu zvaigznājs. Rīga: Medicīnas apgāds, 2015, 144 lpp.

3.

Vīksna A. Medicīnas vēstures pieminekļi Vecrīgā un kanālmalā. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2016, 142 lpp.

4.

Arons K.Ē. Medicīnas vēsture: senie laiki. Rīga: Paula Stradiņa Medicīnas vēstures muzejs, 1993, 80 lpp.

5.

Gaile A., Van Hofa A. Hipokratiskie raksti. Rīga: Liepnieks&Rītups, 2003, 449 lpp

6.

Šidlovska V., B.Mauriņa, I.Smiltena, V.Pirsko. Senās Rīgas aptiekas. Rīga: Nordik, 2005, 192 lpp.

7.

Vīksna A. Vecās aptiekas. Rīga: Zinātne, 1993, 160 lpp.

8.

Vīksna A. Medicīnas sākumi Latvijas novados. Rīga: Rīgas Starptautiskais Medicīnas Zinātnes un Farmācijas Centrs, 1993, 120 lpp.

9.

100 nozīmīgas personas Latvijas medicīnas vēsturē

10.

Acta medico-historica RigensiaSuitable for English stream

11.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. Early Civilizations: Prehistoric Times to 500 C.E., Infobase publishing: 2009, pp 174Suitable for English stream

12.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. The Middle Ages: 500-1450, Infobase publishing: 2009, pp 158Suitable for English stream

13.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. The Scientific Revolution and Medicine: 1450-1700, Infobase publishing: 2009, pp 158Suitable for English stream

14.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. Old World and New: Early Medical Care, 1700-1840, Infobase publishing: 2010, pp 150Suitable for English stream

15.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. Medicine Becomes a Science: 1840-1999, Infobase publishing: 2010. - 168 p.Suitable for English stream

16.

Kelly K. The History of Medicine. Medicine Today: 2000 to the Present, Infobase publishing: 2010. - 160 p.Suitable for English stream

17.

Duffin J. History of Medicine. A Scandalously Short Introduction. University of Toronto Press Incorporated. 2021, pp 495Suitable for English stream

18.

Miles S. H. The Hippocratic Oath and the Ethics of Medicine. Oxford University Press: 2004. - 208 p.Suitable for English stream