Clinical Comparative Medicine: Evolutionary Perspectives on Mental and Physical Health

HEB 135 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

Why are human beings so vulnerable to mental and physical illness? Insights into the causes of human diseases and disorders can be found by studying similar health challenges in other species. In HEB 1328 students will explore physical illnesses and behavioral disorders in non-human animals––from wild animals to beloved family pets. While heart disease, cancer and other significant medical challenges will be explored,  this year special emphasis will be placed on mental health.  Comparative psychopathology—studying mental illness and abnormal behavior in fish, reptiles, birds, and non-human mammals—will be introduced as a framework strengthening our understanding of human depression, eating disorders, social anxiety, OCD, self-injury, addiction and other emotional and biobehavioral challenges. Taught by a physician and evolutionary biologist, this course uses a ‘mini-medical school’ approach to explore the evolutionary origins of disease. Each lecture takes on a specific common and challenging human health issue beginning with a brief overview of what modern medicine currently does and does not understand. Lectures then quickly move into the wild (literally–through the use of curated wildlife video) and into our evolutionary past that has shaped modern vulnerabilities. Students will explore Harvard Museum of Natural History collection and learn to build phylogenetic models to develop an expanded understanding of the nature and origin of mental and physical illness. 

No prior medical or advanced scientific knowledge is assumed. Both physical and mental illnesses will be covered. As noted above, this year mental health will receive special focus. This year course lectures and other content will be presented in an interactive seminar style. Students will be expected to deeply engage with weekly readings and assignments and to contribute to a collective research project.