Course Description

Throughout history, humankind has been heavily afflicted by pandemics, such as cholera, the bubonic plague and influenza. COVID-19 has brought major havoc to our life in the past three years. With the lifting of social distancing restrictions and our societies returning to normalcy, using COVID-19 as an example, this course tries to weave a coherent picture that explains how scientists learned about the virus, how authorities reacted around the world, and how different societies coped. 

This course consists of THREE parts: 1) the medical science of pandemic spread, diagnosis, prevention and treatments; 2) an overview of global governance and international cooperation, economic and social consequences of the outbreak, and breakthroughs in mathematical modellings and vaccines; and 3) examine specific countries and regions through the lens of good governance, social contract and political trust. Through lectures, tutorials, group projects and presentations, together with their own experiences, students will critically evaluate the measures adopted by different governmental bodies and their efficacies, predict and project how we might handle future pandemics. 

Upon completing this common core course, students should develop key intellectual skills that will be further enhanced in their disciplinary studies and play an active role as responsible individuals and citizens in local and global communities.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the definition of a pandemic and explain how a pandemic emerges and the factors controlling its spread.
2. Describe how major biomedical discoveries/breakthroughs have improved human health globally and helped control the spread of a pandemic.
3. Demonstrate awareness and critically evaluate the impacts of the pandemic on the process of sustainable development.
4. Formulate informed arguments/solutions in responding to the management of potential future pandemics.
5. Acquire the ability to communicate effectively through spoken texts (e.g., discussions and debates) and writing through appropriate visual modes and media (e.g., comic strip, graphs, posters).

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

Second semester (Wed)