Viruses have baffled humans for far longer than we have known of their existence. Not seen under a microscope until the 1930s, they have long been understood primarily through their deadly disease effects. Although diseases often act on different bodies in similar ways, however, explanations for them have varied widely depending on historical moment and cultural context. In this seminar, we will explore some of the many meanings humans have made of viruses in their efforts to understand and manage terrifying symptoms.
