This course proposes to explore the following questions:

How does HIV cause AIDS?
How do antiviral drugs work?
How do viruses become resistant to drugs?
Why don’t we already have an effective vaccine?
How does the current HIV epidemic compare to other historical epidemics such as polio, influenza and plague?
How does HIV compare to other viruses such as herpes, influenza and hepatitis?
How does AIDS compare to other sexually transmitted diseases?
How can HIV be eradicated?

Also:

Current research
Legal/ ethical issues
Social aspects
Historical aspects
Public health concerns

Class sessions will be mainly discussion format, not lecture. We will discuss excellent reading materials and videos. Also we will have knowledgeable guest speakers.