The University of Minnesota is offering a May term course that explores pandemics in a historical context with an emphasis on how science intersects with public policy as nations deal with a major health crisis. 

HMED 3940—History Making: Epidemics, Politics and Coronavirus will also examine COVID-19 and the forces that are shaping governmental and public responses to the pandemic. 

The class is being offered through the U’s College of Science and Engineering in a multidisciplinary collaboration with History Department Chair Ann Waltner, who is contributing to the curriculum. 

This week on Dialogue Minnesota, a conversation with Macey Flood, a PhD candidate at the U of M who is teaching the course which is open to both degree-seeking students and the general public. 

Dialogue Minnesota is a podcast hosted by Jim du Bois, whose career in radio and TV spans four decades. As a reporter, he’s covered everything from national political conventions to the conflict in Iraq. du Bois is the former president/CEO of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association where he focused on transitioning traditional broadcasting to digital platforms. He was recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters in 2009 for helping to create a nationwide education program on the digital television transition. A proud Golden Gopher, du Bois is the past chair of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.