Since 1788, Sydney has faced repeated waves of epidemic disease that shaped the city’s development and social life. This course explores eleven major outbreaks, examining how fear, politics, medical knowledge and public behaviour interacted in times of crisis. We consider how responses to disease evolved over time and what these recurring patterns reveal about human nature, governance and resilience. Ideal for those interested in Sydney history, public health and the social impact of epidemics.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• 1789: Smallpox
• 1867: Measles
• 1875: Scarlet fever
• 1881: Smallpox
• 1886: Typhoid
• 1890: Asiatic flu
• 1900: Bubonic plague
• 1919: Spanish influenza
• 1950: Polio
• 1983: AIDS
• 2020: COVID-19

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the impact of illness in the story of Sydney
2. Outline the causes, treatment and consequences of these significant epidemics
3. Discuss the patterns of response to each epidemic