Event 1 Outline
This event will address the following:
- We will offer a general introduction to and history of the fields represented by this training programme (English, History of Science, History of Medicine).
- What are the key methodologies of the disciplines involved in this interdisciplinary programme?
- How might we distinguish between ‘inter-’ and ‘multi-’ disciplinarity?
- How can we begin to forge methods for the study of a new ‘sub-field’ or ‘interdiscipline’ that is interested in the intersection of literature, science and medicine?
- How might doctoral students apply these ideas, theories and methods to their own PhD projects?
- We will look in depth at a case study of one example of study of this nature.
- We will discuss the reasons why the nineteenth century has seen such developments in this interdiscipline, but also consider the other historical periods where fruitful work has been done and is emerging.
- What are the specific challenges posed by work that connects literature to the hard sciences, such as maths and physics, and to science and medicine in modern times?
- We will evaluate the use of different sources, from manuscript to online texts.
- What are the opportunities posed by the emerging discipline of Medical Humanities?
- On our visit to MOSI and JRUL students will experience archive materials and a variety of cultural objects.
- The programme will also give students a taste of the range of possible careers beyond academia, including careers in Heritage, Museums and Galleries, and Science Communication.
- Students will be encouraged to learn actively: they will be asked to complete a reflective weblog of their experiences during the week at St Deiniol’s; work in pairs and groups with students from different disciplines and institutions, and who are working in different historical periods; they will be asked to apply ideas to their own work; and present on a topic set by the tutors. We hope to evolve a community of postgraduate students who will continue to communicate and discuss ideas beyond the event and programme.
