Throughout much of human history, considerations of the wondrous workings and frightening frailty of the human body occupied a large role in religious thought and practice. This course examines how religion influenced the development of scientific thought about physiology and medicine, as well as how scientific knowledge was integrated into religious beliefs. Possible topics of discussion include attitudes towards the differences among the sexes, public health needs and the coercion of individuals, the significance of stages of life and aging, contraception and abortion, the relation between mental and physical health, and how to face the prospect of death and disease appropriately. We will also explore the role of pilgrimage sites in healthcare. Finally, we discuss the particular internal conflicts and religious experiences of medical care professionals.

Regions and time periods under discussion will vary by instructor.