Come and join us as we explore the world of Philadelphia, Pa. in 1793 and learn about the Yellow Fever Outbreak. Now, this wasn't the first, or last outbreak in the United States. The first yellow fever outbreaks in the United States occurred in late 1690s. Nearly 100 years later, in the late summer of 1793, refugees from a yellow fever epidemic in the Caribbean fled to Philadelphia. Within weeks, people throughout the city were experiencing symptoms. By the middle of October, 100 people or more were dying from the virus every day. Caring for the victims so strained public services that the local city government collapsed. People fled the city or hid in their homes, refusing to help their friends and neighbors. Thieves roamed the streets. Philadelphia was also the seat of the United States government at the time, but federal authorities evacuated the city in face of the raging epidemic, leaving citizens to fend for themselves. Eventually, a cold front eliminated Philadelphia’s mosquito population. 

What is the history of Yellow Fever? Why did this disease spread so fast? What were the common medical theories and practices of that time? We will meet our main character of the story, Matilda, and follow her journey through post-revolutionary society and social norms and how all of that changed during the outbreak. We will explore the changing social dynamic, vocabulary (what is a necessary?), and discuss what it was like to be alive during this time period. 

This class is a study in the historical realities (and embellishments) of a Young Adult Historical Fiction novel. After class 1, the lesson videos will contain information about the historical aspects of the story, as well as posing possible discussion angles for our classroom posts. 

Students will need their own copies of "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson. 

Week 1 Background on Philadelphia, Post-Revolutionary War society, Exploration of Yellow Fever causes and symptoms as well as discussion of medical theories and practices of that time period. 
Week 2 Chapters 1-7
Week 3 Chapters 8-12
Week 4 Chapters 13-17
Week 5 Chapters 18-24
Week 6 Chapters 25-29, Epilogue
Week 7 Brief look forward to other Yellow Fever epidemics and how they compare to this one. 


Each week, by Wednesday evening (9pm PST) -

-I will email each student a link that weeks lecture and assignments. This will be on YouTube and is in a private account that is embedded into the Outschool classroom page.  
-  Assignments will consist of discussion and essay questions, short research topics, Youtube videos, and worksheets. These will be posted on the classroom page. 
- In my flex classes, each family can determine the level of participation in the course. 
- Communication will be done through the Outschool classroom.  
-I will check in with each student several times during the week to check on progress of the homework, address any questions, or to engage in a discussion about the topic covered. Each student is encouraged to message (through the Outschool classroom) me anytime they have any questions or thoughts about the class.  
- Each week, there may be additional articles, videos, or pictures that will be posted to the classroom page to engage students in open conversations about that weeks topic. 
-Please message me before the start of class if you have any questions.  

For information on my other courses, please check out my course catalog: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10WtnUIRwVRw7Awo6FskitgUKeNUjuAvf/view