The Tiny Tyrant: The Outsized Impact of the Mosquito on Human History (HyFlex: In-person)
Winter (9 - 13.5 hours) | Registration opens 11/24/2025 12:00 AM EDT
This is the in-person registration option for this course.
Throughout the course of human history, historically significant events such as wars and migrations are typically looked at through examinations of significant leaders, often generals, admirals, and/or influential political and thought leaders. This course, by contrast, will examine one of the most, perhaps the most, influential “actor” on human history, the mosquito.
Using parts of a large documentation that is rarely used in traditional history courses and investigations, we will examine the battle between humanity and mosquitoes for domination of the world and how humankind and mosquitoes have influenced each other in surprising ways since hominins entered the historical record.
This course will combine lecture with class discussions.
NOTE: This course will meet over five sessions, but is listed on schedule for six. Class will be cancelled for one of the six dates; info to come.
Paul Etkind
Paul Etkind is a retired epidemiologist who focused on infectious disease prevention and control at the local, state, and national levels over the course of his career. He had first-hand experience with anti-vaccination proponents and saw how the doubts sowed there could have broader corrosive effects on public health and on broader social cohesion.