Just make sure you do the reading, participate during section, and MAKE AN OUTLINE OF THE MAIN THEMES/POINTS OF EACH READING (primary and secondary source) and you will receive and A in the class. Her voice and attempt to inflate while she presents fails to engage, which is why participating in section is advisable.

NOTE: experience influenced by terrible TA (history students: avoid Bender at all costs). Anyway, Archambeau herself is an interesting lecturer; although her slides seem to have very little correlation with either the books we're reading or the primary sources online. This class was somewhat discombobulating, and on a whole, a terrible experience.

Archambeau is very passionate and knowledgeable. She assigns 3 essays, a couple map quizzes & a final with no midterm. The three essays definitely make it easier to get a good grade in the class. Overall easy class if you're willing to endure 3 very boring books. She's great; highly recommend!

She talks in an 'inspired' voice the whole entire time as if every part of the material is awe inspiring-kinda annoying. But, ultimately found the course interesting and the essays assigned are not too difficult. Do-able class.

somewhat heavy reading requirements for this class. students have to remember the professor is a historian not a medical doctor and that the class is not about learning about diseases but about how the idea of contagion is viewed in different societies, how epidemics changes cultural practices and different medical philosophies. fun class