U.S. Presidents and Pandemics

HPM 569 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

Over the past century, US presidents have been forced to respond to numerous actual or threatened pandemics – from the Great Influenza to Ebola to COVID-19. These responses have varied substantially in their tactics and results, but they have all faced challenges inherent to the role of the presidency. Infectious threats to national security are likely to persist and grow in coming years, and it will be vital to understand how to advise both the president and other leaders.

The first half of this course will equip you with the history of and foundational knowledge of pandemics, responses, and the role of the US presidency. The latter half of the course will take a deeper dive into these topics through targeted case studies, exploring what worked and what didn’t and drawing lessons for future presidential pandemic management.

The course will take an applied and practical lens through not only the case studies, but also through the readings and lectures. Throughout the term, you will hear from a variety of senior experienced leaders and advisors on this crucial intersection of presidents and pandemics.