History and Classics

 

HIST 1003 The Practicing Historian
This course will use case studies and hands-on learning to introduce students to the variety of sources and approaches used by today's practicing historians. Oral history, public history, visual and material culture will all be included, along with an examination of a variety of more traditional ways that quantitative and qualitative data may be analyzed, interpreted, and disseminated by historians. Prerequisite(s): History major or permission of the Department.

HIST 1043 The Middle East in World History
The term Middle East was invented to identify a region and a culture. The course follows the development of that culture by examining the centrality of the "Middle East" in global cultural and economic exchanges that have led to the region's prominent role in global politics, including political Islam, migration and migrants, and the resulting debates on Islamization and secularization. No prerequisite.

HIST 1103 Introduction to Western Civilization 1
Leading developments in Western civilization from ancient societies to the French Revolution. Students will be introduced to various historical concepts, skills, and methodologies.

HIST 1113 Introduction to Western Civilization 2
Leading developments in Western civilization from the French Revolution to the present. Students will be introduced to various historical concepts, skills, and methodologies.

HIST 1413 Global History Before 1500
This course uses a thematic and comparative approach to explore major issues in world history. Students will examine different cultural zones and historical eras, from the inception of the agricultural revolution to the emergence of Europe as a dominant region of the globe. Themes include trade, environment, cities, patriarchy, technology, and political systems.

HIST 1423 Global History After 1500
This course examines the intricate links among cultures that have arisen in the last five centuries. This period witnessed the rapid rise of the West to economic, political and cultural dominance. In response, various forms of resistance and nationalism emerged, with remarkable ideological innovation and social transformations in China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

HIST 1533 Britain in World History to 1707
This course explores major issues in history, focusing on Britain within a broad geographic context. Students will examine Prehistoric, Celtic and Roman Britain, Saxons and Vikings, the Middle Ages, the Tudors and Stuarts. Themes include migration, trade, settlements, gender, religion, and the growth of kingdoms and parliament.

HIST 1613 Ideas that Moved the Modern World
Spanning the 18th Century Enlightenment to the Era of Globalization, this course introduces students to the most influential ideas of the modern era as well as the social movements they produced. Among the topics explored are romanticism, nationalism, conservatism, socialism, irrationalism, Freudianism, and Nazism. Our focus is on the political ideologies that defined the landscape of the 20th century. Prerequisite(s): This course is open to students who have completed fewer than 60h, or with permission of instructor.

HIST 1693 Themes in History
Exploration of various historical topics, responding to recent developments in the field and other disciplines that advance our understanding of historical relevance.

HIST 1713 War and the World: Global Military History since 1500
This course surveys major developments in global military history since 1500. Emphasis will be placed on the impact of new technologies, weapons, environments, tactics and strategies, but continuities in the conduct of war will also be considered. A global perspective is crucial to this course.

HIST 1813 History of Art: Prehistory to 1400
Art from prehistoric times to Giotto is considered in relation to its cultural and historical context. Cross-coded as ART 1813. Antirequisite(s): Credit can be obtained for only one of HIST 1813 or ART 1813 or ART 1113.

HIST 1823 History of Art: 1400 to Present
Art from the time of Giotto to the present is considered in relation to its cultural and historical context. Cross-coded as HIST 1823. Antirequisite(s): Credit cannot be obtained for HIST 1823 or ART 1823 or ART 1123.

HIST 1913 The African Canadian Experience
Spanning 400 years of the African presence in Canada, this course explores how African-descended peoples have resisted slavery and racial oppression, and the political, social, economic, gender, class and other factors that have influenced their experience. Through lectures, field trips and hands-on workshops, students learn how African Canadians have contributed to the building of this nation, and the global diaspora. Cross-coded as IDST 1213. No prerequisite. Antirequisite(s): Credit can be obtained for only one of HIST 1913 and IDST 1213.

HIST 2003 The Christian Religious Tradition
An analysis of the development of the Christian religious tradition, noting its cultural contextualization, institutional themes and religious rites and beliefs. Attention will be given to the formation of the religious community, eastern, western, Radical, Protestant and mystical varieties, major reforms and characters. Students will read original texts as well as major critiques and interpretations of Christianity. No prerequisites.

HIST 2033 Ancient and Islamic Civilization in The Middle East
A survey of the Middle East from Sumero-Akkadian times (2500BCE) to the end of the Abbasid caliphate (1258CE). Traces the development of civilization through a renowned series of cultures and religions, such as those in the Babylonian and Persian periods. The rise of Islam as a major power in the region is emphasized. No prerequisite.

HIST 2073 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Arab and Israeli nationalism originated in the modern period and have been in conflict since the First World War. The course is a treatment of the origins and development of the conflict through the 20th century, investigating national ideologies, issues central to the contemporary peace process, such as borders, population transfers, and Jerusalem. No prerequisite.

HIST 2123 Gender and Sexuality in Europe to 1789
A study of the role of gender from the early civilizations to 1789. This course examines gender relations and societal expectations of women and men from the earliest civilizations to 1789. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2133 Gender and Sexuality in Modern Europe
A study of the role of gender from 1789 to the 1960s. This course examines gender relations and societal expectations of women and men from the French Revolution to the mid-twentieth century. A discussion of the cultural and political dimensions of gender and sexuality. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2203 World War One
This course examines the origins, progress and consequences of World War One. Topics include the causes of the war, the opening moves of 1914, the battles of attrition, trench warfare, the war at sea and in the air, the global influence of the war, the evolution of strategy and tactics and the impact of new weapons. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2213 World War Two
This course examines the origins, progress and consequences of World War Two. While strategy and battlefield tactics form a major focus of the course, other topics such as the Holocaust, the air war, the war at sea, resistance and collaboration are also covered. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

 

HIST 2243 Tradition and Modernity in Southeast Asia 1
A cultural and political history from the "golden age" of Angkor, and other early kingdoms, to the beginning of the colonial era. The influence of the powerful external cultures, of India and China, the rise of Theravada Buddhism and later advent of Islam in the region are emphasized. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2253 Tradition and Modernity in Southeast Asia 2
The political and cultural history of the region from the colonial period to modern times including WW II, the Vietnam War, and the continuing impact of such contemporary challenges, as globalization, secularization, and religious fundamentalism. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

 

HIST 2263 Canadian Women’s History
A thematic survey of the history of women in Canada from Contact to the present. Special attention will be given to the diversity of women’s cultures, the changing roles of women in industrial society, and efforts by women to achieve economic, political and social equality. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2283 Environmental History
This course investigates the relationships between humans and their environment, and how and why these relationships have changed over time. Topics of study include: theoretical and methodological approaches to environmental history; differing conceptions of the environment; the impact of industrialization; the spread of settlement, and resource exploitation; the changing nature of environmentalism; and new directions. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2303 America and the Age of Revolution
A series of revolutions rocked the eighteenth-century Atlantic World and transformed western society. This course explores those revolutions and the social and cultural forces that produced them. We focus on the American Revolution and its impact on the Caribbean and Latin America, where slave uprisings and national liberation movements challenged European colonial control. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2313 The Dilemma of Modern America
This course examines the American encounter with industrialization, imperial expansion, popular culture, and movements for social reform. Covering the 1880s to the early 21st century, students will consider the tensions between the protection of democratic freedom and the emergence of the United States as a superpower. Our examination of the American past will emphasize a comparative and international perspective. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2343 Maritime Provinces to 1867
The history of the Maritime region of Canada from the sixteenth century to Confederation. Special emphasis is given to the peopling of the region by immigrant groups and their interaction with the Native people. The evolution of the social, political, economic and religious institutions to 1867 is examined. No prerequisite.

HIST 2353 Maritime Provinces Since 1867
The development of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in the post-Confederation period. Maritime adjustment to political union and its role within Confederation will be examined. Special emphasis will be placed on social, religious, economic and political trends, and the issues of ethnic assimilation and survival will be addressed. No prerequisite.

HIST 2393 Latin America
The colonial policy of Spain and Portugal in the New World; the development of colonial society and the struggle for independence. Emphasis will be placed upon the major political and social problems encountered by the people of Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile since the early nineteenth century. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2403 Capital and Labour in Canada
Selected topics in the history of Canadian business and labour, including the emergence of industrial capitalism and the Canadian working class. Special emphasis will be placed on advances in industrial production, the organization of capital and workers’ responses to these developments. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2463 Youth Culture in Canada Since 1918
This course will explore the changing nature of youth culture in Canada since the end of the First World War. Specific emphasis will be placed on the roles played by popular entertainment, the automobile, universities, alcohol and narcotics in shaping the world of Canadian youth. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2483 Selected Topics in Canadian-American Relations
Areas of study include military (impact of the American Revolution, Civil War, World Wars, and the war in Vietnam), economic (branch plants, NAFTA, fresh water, cross-border shopping), and social and cultural influences (media, sports, music). Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2493 Canadian History on Film
This course explores Canadian film-making over the past century with a focus on the representation of Canadian history through documentary and feature films. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2503, Slavery and Freedom in the Age of Lincoln
The defining moment of the American experience in the 19th century was the Civil War. Examining the development of slavery, the changing nature of antebellum society, and the growing political dispute between the North and the South, this course will explore the revolutionary transformation produced by the struggle over slavery and freedom. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2533 The Middle Ages: Fact not Fiction
Images and stories based in medieval history and culture are commonly used in film, gaming, and political movements. These can distort the past, creating false impressions. Focusing on Western Europe and the Mediterranean, this course introduces students to the real Middle Ages. Topics include Germanic migrations, religious expansion, kingdom formation, Church/State relations, heresy, learning, art, and architecture. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2543 Introduction to Europe: Since 1500
European history surveyed from 1500 to the present. Topics include the rise of religious division; the impact of reason and revolution; the evolution of the European nation-state; the rise and fall of European cultural, economic, and political dominance globally; the division of the continent and the establishment of the federal “super-state” after 1945. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2553 Educating Canadians
The origins and evolution of Canadian primary and secondary education. Topics to be explored include changing attitudes towards children, debates over curriculum and teaching methodologies, and the emergence of women as teachers. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2563 Imperial China: Emperors, Concubines, Peasants
An introduction to Chinese civilization covering religious, cultural, intellectual and historical aspects from the age of Confucius until the 20th century. The focus is on change and continuity of ideas and institutions in traditional and early modern China. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2593 History of Canada’s First Nations
This survey course examines the cultures, economies and politics of Canada’s Indigenous peoples before and since the Contact period. Particular attention is paid to social structures, the impacts of contact and the resilience of aboriginal cultures within an industrialized, Western nation. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2603 African Canadian Women’s History
This course will examine how race, class, gender and geographic location have influenced the experience of African Canadian women over the past 400 years. The role played by African Canadian women in resistance to slavery and racial oppression, civil rights struggles, and the labour movement will be explored in light of their contributions to Black Canadian society and culture. Prerequisite(s): Secondyear standing.

HIST 2613 History of Medicine
This course examines the development of medicine from antiquity to the present. Among the major topics to be addressed: concepts of disease; social construction of the body; development of ‘germ theory’ and the growth of modern medical science; development of public health; histories of medical practitioners including physicians, midwives and nurses; history of medical institutions including hospitals, asylums and laboratories. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2623 History of Science and Technology
A survey course introducing students to the major themes, episodes, controversies and key issues in the history of Western science from antiquity to the twentieth century. Areas that will be examined include: the relationship between religion and science; the place of humanity within a scientific universe and the interrelationship between science and technology and its impact on human societies. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2733 African Canadians in the Maritimes
For more than 400 years, African Canadians have made vital contributions to the economies and cultures of the Atlantic World. This course traces successive migrations of people of African descent to Maritime Canada, and explores strategies they developed to surmount challenges posed by slavery and colonialism, as well as issues arising from gender, class, labour and racial discrimination.

 

HIST 2743 Feudal Japan: Peasants, Monks and Samurai
This course details the history of Japan from the rise of the Yamato State through to the Sengoku Period of the 16th century. Topics to be covered: Shinto and the national mythology; development of Japanese Buddhism; aristocratic ages of Heian and Nara; Kamakura and Ashikaga shogunates; and the emergence of a ‘feudal’ state in medieval Japan. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses, or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2753 Africa and the World
An introduction to African history, investigating historical debates upon the significance of Africans in human cultural development, ancient and medieval civilizations, and modern global society and economy. Topics include ancient North Africa and Egypt, expansion of Niger-Congo and Bantu cultures, formation of Islamic Empires, and assessing Africa’s place in the world during the Atlantic Slave Trade. No prerequisite.

HIST 2773 Pre-Confederation Canada
An introduction to Canadian history focusing on Aboriginal societies, New France and British North America to 1867. In addition to general knowledge of Canadian history, students will be introduced to the variety of historical theories and methodologies that characterize the field. No prerequisite.

HIST 2783 Canada Since 1867
A survey of Canadian history since Confederation, focusing on the political, economic, and social developments in the modern age. In addition to general knowledge of Canadian history, students will be introduced to the variety of historical theories and methodologies that characterize the field. No prerequisite.

HIST 2803 The Age of Revolt and the Rise of Reaction
The early 20th century witnessed an explosion of history-changing mass movements. Exploring the intersection of ideas and social conditions in London, Paris, Berlin and New York, this course traces the development of movements that questioned the organization of modern capitalist society and challenged authoritarian rulers and ideologies. Events covered include revolutions following World War I and the rise of anti-fascism. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing, or permission of instructor. Antirequisite(s): Credit can be obtained for only one of HIST 2803 or HIST 3753.

 

HIST 3113 Tudor England, 1485-1603
Covers Tudor absolutism and the subservience of parliament; the English Reformation in all its aspects; social and economic problems caused by the growth in population, enclosures and inflation; England's involvement on the continent, in Scotland and in Ireland; England's emergence as a sea and colonial power; cultural-intellectual developments. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3133 Stuart England, 1603-1714
Covers early Stuart absolutism; Commonwealth, Cromwell and the Protectorate; the restoration of the Stuarts and renewed confrontations over politics and religion; the Glorious Revolution and the supremacy of parliament; the last of the Stuarts, their continental wars and the emergence of England as a first-rate power; cultural-intellectual developments. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3143 Canada’s Visual History
Photography, movies, art, and public spectacle have all been used to make, record, and commemorate the nation's history. This course will explore the history of visual media, and examine selected topics in Canadian history to consider ways visual media can be employed as historical sources. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses and third-year standing.

HIST 3163 Total War and Social Change, 1870-1945
This course examines the impact of war on society from 1870 to 1945 – the era of ‘total war’. Lectures and discussion groups will focus on the manner in which total war impacts society and the extent to which war can serve as an agent for social change. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3203 Unlocking the Archival Record
Through the application of preserving and making available archival collections in original and digital formats, this hands-on course examines archival principles and processes. It explores the purpose of record creation and the place of archives in society to gain an understanding of the role of documents within the educational setting and the context of heritage institutions and knowledge mobilization. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses and third-year standing.

HIST 3243 The Reformation in Europe
Beginning with discussions of the medieval church and humanism, this course focusses on religious complexity in Europe during the 16th century. It covers reform movements from various regions (Germany, Switzerland, France, the Low Countries and the British Isles) and the Catholic Reformation. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3253 Society and Politics in France, 1789-1871
This course is designed to introduce students to the political, social and cultural history of France between 1789 and 1871. It explores the numerous political experiments and revolutions throughout the nineteenth century. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3263 Society and Politics in Modern France
This course is designed to provide students with an exploration of the political and social changes which occurred in France between 1871 and 1968. Subjects and themes for examination include Bonapartism, imperialism, cultural life, anti-Semitism. The impact of the German occupation, France's role in the creation of the European community and the 1968 Revolution will also be covered. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3273 Making Britain Modern: From the Industrial Revolution to World War I
An in-depth study of the transformation of Britain from the late 18th century to the outbreak of the First World War. Topics and themes may include industrialization, social protest, democratization, emergence of modern mass politics, commercialization of popular culture, family, sexuality and Victorian social theory, as well as cultural and literary themes. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3283 Comparative Revolutions and Wars 1
A comparative study of the revolutions and wars accompanying them during the early modern period in Britain and America. Includes analysis of various theories of revolution. Major revolutions to be studied include English and American revolutions. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3293 Comparative Revolutions and Wars 2
A comparative study of the revolutions and wars accompanying them during the modern era. Includes analysis of various theories of revolution. Major revolutions to be studied include French and Russian revolutions. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

 

HIST 3303 Genocide and Justice
This course explores atrocity and accountability in the modern world. Using first-hand accounts and academic analyses, students will review historical cases of genocide through two lenses: 1) the lived experiences of mass violence, and 2) international responses to atrocity. The tragic link between genocide and justice will be traced throughout as we confront history’s darkest deeds. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3323 Dissent and Conformity in Modern America
Political protest and the mobilization of mass movements has defined modern America, and not only in the 1960s. Studying episodes from the late nineteenth century to the early 21st century, this course will examine how individual dissent and collective organization intersected in the struggles to expand the parameters of democracy in the United States. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing.

HIST 3343 History of Federalism in Canada
This course examines the social and political contexts of the major debates about federalism in Canada. In a seminar format, students will apply a historical perspective to the crisis points in the relationship between Ottawa and the provinces since 1867. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3353 Travel, Leisure & Sin in Canada
This course will explore selected topics in the history of leisure in Canada. These may include the history of tourism; folk games and organized sports; hunting and camping; arts and crafts; amateur theatricals; drinking, gambling, burlesque and the sex trades. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses and third-year standing.

HIST 3363 Nova Scotia Since 1867
The economic, social and political developments in Nova Scotia since Confederation. Special emphasis is given to the effects of North American industrialization and transcontinental political structures on the province and provincial movements designed to conform to the problems of regional disparity. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3373 Peopling of the Maritimes in The Eighteenth Century
A study of the development and interaction of the peoples who occupied the Maritime region in the eighteenth century. Special emphasis will be placed on the Acadians, the New England Planters, the Scots and the Loyalists, and the relationship of these groups with the Native peoples. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3383 Canadian Environmental History
A study of the environmental history of Canada. Themes to be covered range from the way in which the Canadian environment shaped the history of human settlement in the country’s various regions through to the effects of industrialisation on the Canadian environment. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3393 Women and Gender in Canadian History
An in-depth examination of selected topics in Women’s and Gender history in the Canadian context. Topics may include paid and unpaid work, health, parenthood, feminism, sexuality, social welfare, immigrant women, Native women, relations to the state, the military, popular culture and education. Prerequisite(s): 12h of History courses, including HIST 2263 or permission of the instructor.

HIST 3413 Modern Japan, 1600-1945
This course examines Japanese history from the Tokugawa era (1600-1868) through to the end of the Pacific War. Topics to be covered include: samurai and chonin (townspeople) cultures; the political structure of the shogun's government (bakufu); the Meiji Restoration; the failure of Taisho democracy in the 1920s; and Japanese imperialism in Asia ending with the war in the Pacific, 1937-1945. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3423 Race and Class in 20th Century Africa
Racial and tribal categories informed political policies during the colonial era, yet as a result of changes brought about by colonial economies, new social and political groups and strategies emerged. The course will trace this important process and seek an understanding of its cultural and political consequences through a study of racial policy in Africa. No prerequisite.

HIST 3443 Africa and European Imperialism, 1800-1960s
This course examines three phases of African history: Pre-colonial societies such as the Zulu; British; French; German imperialism and colonial rule; the rise of African independence movements in the twentieth century. Topics to be discussed include the Islamic states of north and west Africa; the slave trade; the `Scramble for Africa'; the Zulu and Boer Wars and African nationalism. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3453 Islam and Nationalism in the Modern Middle East
During the 20th century Islamic and national revolutions swept the Middle East. Religious and ethnic identities underwent a radical transformation reflecting the impact of Western political thinking and social and economic change. The course will investigate Arab Nationalism, Zionism, and Islamism through the Arab-Israeli political crisis and the emergence of Islamist movements across the region. No prerequisite.

 

HIST 3463 Russia: Tsarism to Stalinism
A detailed examination of the major themes of the late Tsarist and early Soviet periods. Topics addressed include the peasantry; prewar industrialisation; the development of revolutionary thought; the impact of World War I; the Russian Revolution; the Russian Civil War; and the rise of Stalin and Stalinism. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3473 Power and Statecraft, 1870-1945
Covers the diplomatic history of Europe from the unification of Germany to the end of the Second World War. Particular emphasis will be placed on the origins of wars. The rise of non-European powers and the decline of Europe as the centre of global power will also be stressed. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3483 Russia: Stalinism to The New Autocracy
A detailed examination of the rise and fall of the USSR as a superpower and the system that replaced it. Topics addressed include the nature of Soviet power; post-Stalin politics and culture; the degeneration and collapse of the USSR; the legacy of Soviet rule; and the state system that succeeded it. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

 

HIST 3493 American Women and Social Protest
This course examines the experience of American women engaged in movements for social and political transformation. Extending from the late 19th to the 21st century, it explores women’s participation in the movement for women’s emancipation, artistic liberation, racial equality and justice, as well as working-class democracy. Particular attention is paid to the experience of women in the labour movement. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing.

HIST 3503 Germany Since 1870
Follows the turbulent path of German history since 1870. Topics include Bismarck and the Imperial era, the impact of the First World War, the Weimar Republic, the Nazi years, post-war Germany to unification. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3533 Canadian Social and Cultural History
A seminar course that explores topics in Canadian social and cultural history. Topics may include family formation, working conditions, community development and popular culture. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3543 Power and Prestige in Medieval Europe
What was the nature of power and prestige in medieval Europe? How did these concepts differ? Who held authority and why? Kings, Queens, Popes, Saints, Merchants? Topics covered may include: regional variation; strength of the Church and its representatives; gender differences; knights and monarchs; landscape of power; and material representations of power. Prerequisite(s): HIST 1533 or HIST 2533.

HIST 3553 The American Century: United States and The World
From an isolationist republic in the nineteenth century, the United States emerged as the dominant power of the twentieth century. From war to anti-terrorism to the media, the United States continues to shape our world. Looking at American wars, counterinsurgency, and diplomacy, this course will examine how that happened and its implications for the present. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3563 Modern China: Opium Wars to Tiananmen
An analysis of the changes China has experienced since the mid-19th century. Emphasis is on the collapse of traditional order and the search for new political, social and cultural forms. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3573 Guerrillas and Gunships: Warfare Since 1945
The nature of warfare has changed dramatically since 1945. Civil wars have largely replaced wars between states. Non-conventional warfare takes precedence over conventional warfare. New technologies have made warfare more destructive. The authority of the state in the conduct of organized violence is being challenged by liberation movements, terrorists and insurgencies. This course explores the reasons behind these developments. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3583 Anglo-Saxon England
A study of the development of England in the early medieval period, from the fall of Rome to the coming of the Normans. Through an examination of the available evidence, both written and archaeological, we will explore topics such as Germanic and Viking invasions, paganism, the flourishing of Christianity, artistic achievement, and kingdom formation. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3593 The Vikings and Their World
The people of Scandinavia, living between 780 and 1100, are often referred to as Vikings, but who were they really? Warriors with horned helmets? Misunderstood farmers and traders? Democratic poets? This course presents an interdisciplinary and balanced view of the Vikings and their culture, society and journeys of exploration, commerce, settlement and conquest. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3603 The American Age of Insecurity
Following a period of unprecedented economic expansion that lasted from the Second World War until the 1970s, the United States entered an era of contraction and crisis that continues to the present. Using film, literature, music, and the latest scholarship, this course will explore the American experience of uncertainty and its relationship to the wider world. No prerequisite.

 

HIST 3613 Canadian Immigration History
From first contact, Canada has been peopled by diverse groups of newcomers whose expectations of their new land were often at odds with their settlement experience. This course looks at a variety of immigrant groups, examining their efforts to settle here, and ways 'Canadian' society and culture were transformed by their presence. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses and third-year standing.

HIST 3623 Cold War Canada: At Home in Suburbia
This course will explore the domestic experience of Canadians during the Cold War period, and the political, social, gender, and sexual history of post-war Canadian society. Topics include the baby boom, suburban development, ethnic diversity, changes in family relationships and sexual attitudes, youth culture and mass media. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses and third-year standing.

HIST 3643 History of European Men, Masculinity and Gender from The Middle Ages to 1800
An investigation of how masculinity and gender have shaped European society. A consideration of what is meant to be a man and to what extent the idea of masculinity changed in European history. An examination of topics such as sexuality, honours, warfare, education, religion, household and court life and local government. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3653 America and the 1960s: History and Legacy
No other decade has seen as fundamental a transformation of American society as the 1960s. In this period alone, Americans witnessed the end of legal segregation, the beginning of a devastating war in Vietnam, and a successful lunar landing. Students will explore this period and consider the way in which memories of the 1960s influence the United States today. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3663 Law and Punishment in Canada Before 1900
This seminar course explores laws and punishments in Canada prior to the creation of a modern criminal code. Though civil law is considered, readings and discussions will focus on criminal law as it was understood and practiced by Canada’s First Nations, the British and French Empires, and the young nation of Canada. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3673 Canadian Working-Class Culture
Seminar course on Canadian working-class culture from 1830 to 1980. Topics may include race, gender, sexuality, art, food and drink and rituals. Prerequisite(s): 30h university courses.

HIST 3683 History of Religion in Canada
Topics include the development of religious denominations, the impact of religion on social concepts, the issue of church-state relations, the role of religion in educational development, and the influence of religious pluralism on Canadian society. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses including HIST 2773 or HIST 2783.

HIST 3693 Special Topics
See department for details.

HIST 3703 Medieval Women
A study of medieval women through textual evidence and material culture. Focusing on Western Europe and the Mediterranean from c.400-1500, this course explores ideas about women’s roles in society and delves into women’s lived experiences. Prerequisite(s): HIST 1533, HIST 2533, or permission of the instructor.

HIST 3713 Medieval Europe Through Material Culture
Learn the history of medieval Europe through art, architecture and archaeology. Study culture through manuscript illumination, metalworking, stained glass, and sculpture; secular and ecclesiastical architecture; settlement, burial and landscape archaeology. Topics may include cross-cultural contacts, regional variation, stylistic changes, social structure, religions, preservation and conservation. Prerequisite(s): HIST 2533 or HIST 3543.

HIST 3723 The Renaissance
The transition from late medieval to early modern society. Focusing on Italy, this course covers topics such as the Classical Revival and Humanism, Economic Advances, the Plague Renaissance Art and Architecture, the Italian City-States, the Great Western Schism and the Conciliar Movement, as well as the impact of the Italian Renaissance outside of Italy. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3733 History of Museums and Collecting
This course will explore the history of museums and collecting from a global perspective, focusing on the following core questions: Why were museums created? How do they function in society today? What are some challenges facing museums? Topics may include: national identity, architecture, repatriation, ethics of collecting and display, the public and education. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses.

HIST 3743 Oceans & Empires – North Pacific
A study of imperialism in Manchuria, Korea, Japan, Siberia, Alaska, and elsewhere in the North Pacific. The central theme is the convergence of peoples, cultures, and empires between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Topics include Europeans in Northeast Asia, Russian development of Siberia, Japanese colonialism, and US western expansion by land and sea. Prerequisite(s): 12h History courses Antirequisite(s): Credit can be obtained for only one of HIST 3743.

HIST 3763 Revolutions in the Middle East
Exploring historical and theoretical interpretations of revolution, the course investigates state legitimacy, class, and economic causes, and participant agency through ideologies, movements, and networks. Based on historic examples, an important component of the course will involve counter-revolutionary moves, coups, and regime restoration. Examples will include Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria from the early twentieth to the twenty-first century.

HIST 3823 Global History of Communism
This course surveys the history of communism from its origins in revolutionary France through the emergence of classical Marxism, to the Russian and Chinese revolutions and the spread of communism across one third of the globe’s population on four continents. The history of communism as an idea will be considered alongside the reality of life for millions under Communism. Prerequisite: 12h History courses.

HIST 3833 Canada and the Wars
This seminar course examines Canadian participation in the two World Wars in the 20th Century. Though some attention is paid to military campaigns, the focus is on the wars’ effects on Canadians. Readings and discussions will cover shifting gender roles, race and ethnicity, domestic politics, the wartime economy, civil disturbances, combat experiences, and commemoration. Prerequisite(s): 30h of university courses.

HIST 3853 The Turbulent Era in America: The Great Depression and the Fight Against Fascism
The Great Depression represented the greatest challenge the US faced in the 20th century. This was both a domestic and an international crisis, one which produced progressive as well as reactionary movements for social and political change. Using an international lens, this course will explore the American response to the crisis of economic collapse and the rise of right-wing extremism. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing or permission of the instructor.

Special Periods
In these courses a limited field is chosen for intensive study. At least one survey course in the chosen field is a prerequisite. All 4000-level seminars are normally open only to Honours students in History and History majors with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
HIST 4113 Topics: Europe to 1815
HIST 4173 Topics: Asian History
HIST 4213 Topics: Europe Since 1815
HIST 4223 Topics: Global History
HIST 4233 Special Topics
HIST 4313 Topics: Colonial America
HIST 4323 Topics: American History
HIST 4343 Topics: Canadian History
HIST 4903 Historiography

HIST 4996 Honours Thesis
The thesis is the most important component of the honours program. It provides the student with the opportunity to contribute to historical knowledge through original research.

 

The following courses may be counted towards major credit in History: CLAS 1113, CLAS 1123, CLAS 2663, CLAS 2673, CLAS 2823, CLAS 3333, CLAS 3343, CREL 3123, IDST 1113, IDST 1123, IDST 1213, IDST 2503, IDST, 2513, IDST 2813, IDST 2823, WGST 2913, WGST 3503, WGST 4913.