Dr. Ryan Gregory, a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, spoke to CBC Kitchener about U of G’s popular interdisciplinary course, “Pandemics: Culture, Science, and Society,” that he helped launch with sociology professor Dr. Beth Finnis and former U of G history professor Dr. Sofie Lachapelle.

The course blends expertise from the College of Biological Science, the College of Arts, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, and is taught by several faculty members.

When the course began in fall 2020, organizers aimed to explore past pandemics in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Gregory said. It “ended up being one of the most interesting and exciting and innovative courses I’ve been involved with in my career.”

The course has evolved along with the pandemic. This fall, the course will examine how the pandemic has impacted art and music, the future of work and education, and what comes after a pandemic.