The COVID-19 pandemic renewed interest in the global history of infectious diseases. This year’s lecture series presented by History Department faculty and other experts focuses on different periods in world history when societies faced pandemics and their consequences.

Cal Lutheran history professor Michaela Reaves, who specializes in American history with an emphasis on socio-cultural history, will address the history of smallpox. Whether the Bard meant “a plague” or “the pox,” both served as a warning of dire results. Smallpox can be traced through history from the mummy of Ramses V up to 1980, when the disease was considered eradicated. Through 3,000 years of contagion, variolation or vaccine, the disease maintained a death rate of 30% and affected both the “Old” and “New” worlds.

Cal Lutheran, the Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library and Ventura County Library are sponsoring the free series, and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided grant funding. Registration is required.

For more information, visit CalLutheran.edu or contact David Nelson at dnelson@CalLutheran.edu. Cal Lutheran Visitor Policies: At this time, the following policies are in place for visitors to Cal Lutheran: Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face masks in indoor public or common spaces on campus. Everyone coming on campus must fill out the Visitor Health Check Form prior to arriving. People who are not feeling well — particularly those who have a fever, cough, sore throat or any other cold or flu symptoms — are asked to stay home. The Visitor Health Check Form is available online at callutheran.edu/visitors. These policies may change. Please check callutheran.edu/visitors for the latest policies before visiting campus. Event information is subject to change. Please visit callutheran.edu/events before attending to verify details. ### MEDIA NOTE: Contact Karin Grennan at kgrennan@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3512.