© 2002

Last Updated

10 Mar 2003

Fiat Lux Seminars are one-unit courses meant to enrich undergraduate education at UCLA.  The seminars are not open to graduate students. The term "Fiat Lux" means Let There Be Light, appropriate for seminars intended to illuminate the many paths of discovery explored by UCLA faculty.

Enrollment (closed)

Enrollment in the seminar is limited to 15 students, which in the  experience of the Fiat Lux program is an ideal size to provide each student with an opportunity for active engagement.  Those on the waiting list are encouraged to attend the first session (January 6, 2002) but will only be given enrollment permission if enrolled students drop out.  For current enrollment in Fiat Lux Seminar No. 32 click here.

Title of Seminar Number 32 

Deadly Terror

Instructor

Ralph R. Frerichs, D.V.M., Dr.P.H., Professor of Epidemiology

Time and Location - Mondays, from 4:00-4:50 p.m. in Math Science Bldg.,  #5203.

Grading

Students in the seminars will be graded P/NP (Pass or Not Pass).  Attendance and participation is required for a "Pass" grade.  Students who miss more than two of the eight sessions should not expect to receive a passing grade. This being a one-unit course, each student is expected to spend approximately 3 hours per week (both in and out of class) for each unit earned.  Note, if a student cannot continue with the course, he/she may drop the course in the normal way any time through week 10.  Drops after week 4 are recorded on the student's transcript.

Description of Seminar

Smallpox and anthrax should have been long forgotten. Yet in recent years, both diseases have gripped the world stage as agents of bioterror. Different from biologic warfare which attempts to kill, bioterrorism thrives on public fear, potentially immobilizing or demoralizing a population. The seminar will focus on these two diseases, including the pathogens, impact on patients, and potential threat to the well-being of our society. The discussion will address ways to counter fears through public knowledge, and purposeful scientific and political action.

Reading List

Preston, Richard. The Demon in the Freezer, Random House, New York, 2002.

Frerichs, R. R. Epidemiologic Information on Bioterrorism 

Flow of Seminar

Session 1 (Jan. 6, 2003): Introduction of students and seminar

Suggested Reading:

APHA manual on anthrax

American Anthrax Outbreak of 2001

First case of bioterrorism (PDF file, print as reference)

Preston, R. Something in the air, pp. 1-22

Session 2 (Jan. 13, 2003):

Death of a Disease -- Part 1 (historical video about Smallpox eradication)

Suggested Reading:

APHA manual on smallpox

Smallpox ravaged world for eons (print, bring to class)

Smallpox strike called unlikely (print, bring to class)

Preston, R. The dreaming demon, pp. 23-48

Session 3: (Jan. 20, 2003) HOLIDAY (Martin Luther King Jr)

Session 4: (Jan. 27, 2003)

Suggested Reading:

Preston, R. The Bhola Island,  pp. 49-80

Session 5: (Feb. 3, 2003)

Suggested Reading:

Preston, R. The other side of the moon,  pp. 81-108

Session 6: (Feb. 10, 2003)

Death of a Disease -- Part 2 (historical video about Smallpox eradication)

Suggested Reading:

Preston, R. A woman with a peaceful life, 109-144

Session 7: (Feb. 17, 2003) HOLIDAY (President's Day)

Session 8: (Feb. 24, 2003)

Suggested Reading:

Dark Smallpox winter (print, bring to class)

The campaign against Smallpox (print, bring to class)

Preston, R. The demon's eyes, pp. 145-160

Session 9: (March 3, 2003)

Suggested Reading:

Questions linger -- Anthrax (part 1) (print, bring to class)

Anthrax crisis (part 2) (print, bring to class)

Preston, R. The Anthrax skulls, pp. 161-214

Session 10: (March 10, 2003)

Suggested Reading:

Smallpox vaccine policy is bad science (print, bring to class)

Can Smallpox be as simple as 1-2-3? (print, bring to class)

Fear factor (print, bring to class)

Preston, R. Superpox, pp. 215-234