All Courses

How do societies discover cures—and who benefits from those discoveries? This writing seminar examines how medicines derived from the natural world become scientific knowledge, commercial products, or sites of ethical and social debate. Students explore how healing substances move between communities, laboratories, corporations, and governments, raising questions about evidence, expertise, access, and responsibility. Through historical and contemporary case studies, the course addresses traditional and Indigenous medicine, drug development, environmental and public-health impacts, and intellectual property. Writing-intensive assignments build skills in analysis, argumentation, revision, and research across disciplines. No prior scientific or historical background required.