A History of the Body in Colonial America

The focus on the human body as an object of research has become a common part of historical research. In this class we will explore how bodies in the setting of colonial North America took on various meanings, how they were the site of social control, conflict and change, and how we can write a history of colonial bodies. Topics include (but are not restricted to) the history of medicine, sexuality and gender history, and the history of racism and slavery.