Canada to 1867

Students will be introduced to the political, social, cultural, and economic history of pre-Confederation Canada. They will examine topics such as native-white relations, imperial rivalries, the impact of wars and rebellions, political reform, and social conflict. Students will gain an understanding of Canada’s past, as well as an appreciation of how historical forces have shaped Canadian society today.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Canada since 1867

Students will be introduced to the political, social, cultural, and economic history of post-Confederation Canada. They will examine change and conflict in a variety of areas including government policies, native rights, social welfare, Canadian-American relations, cultural nationalism, women's roles, international affairs, Quebec separatism, labour relations, and multiculturalism. Students will examine a variety of perspectives on each of these topics through selected readings and will gain an understanding of Canada's past, as well as an appreciation of the role of historical forces in shaping our current society.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Europe 1900 - 1939

Students will study the major political, social, economic and intellectual currents in European history from the beginning of the twentieth century to 1939. They will also learn to construct and develop historical arguments and to critically assess primary and secondary sources.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Europe since 1939

Students will examine the major political, social, economic and intellectual currents in European history from 1939 to the present. They will also learn how to assemble evidence in order to produce and present an historically sound argument through a major essay and oral presentation.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Twentieth Century World 1945 to 2000

Students will examine some of the major global issues in the latter half of the twentieth century, including the devastating impact of the Second World War, genocide, and the atomic bomb. They will also analyze key developments in the postwar world, including the emergence of the bipolar world and its impact, decolonization and the roots of neo-colonialism, the fall of Soviet-style communism, and the changing nature of global culture.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

American History 1607-1865

Students will examine the development of the United States from the colonial era to the post-Civil War years. They will study the origins of the Thirteen Colonies, the impact of the Revolutionary War, the development of the early Republic, slavery, the origins of the Civil War and early industrialization. Students will pay special attention to the evolution of American politics, economic and social trends, race relations and westward expansion. Students will also learn how to assemble evidence in order to produce and present an historically sound argument through a major essay.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

American History 1865 -1974

Students will examine the major political, economic and social developments in the United States from 1865 to the 1970s. They will study the growth of the United States into a superpower and the accompanying changes in domestic society which have taken place since the Civil War era. Students will also learn how to assemble evidence in order to produce and present an historically sound argument through a major essay.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Europe in the Middle Ages

Students will examine the evolution of medieval society and its institutions from the end of the Roman Empire to the late Middle Ages. They will evaluate the contributions made by the medieval world to the modern era, and will challenge traditional assumptions about the “Dark Ages” and the superstitious medieval world. Students will examine and analyze key developments in this time period including the rise of the Frankish Empire, the agricultural revolution, the evolution of the Western Church, the 12th Century renaissance, and the catastrophes of the 14th century. They will also evaluate the vital relationship between the West and its neighbours during this era.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Europe 1450-1789

Students will survey the major political, social, economic and cultural trends in European history from the Renaissance to the French Revolution, focusing on some of the key issues which emerged during this period. They will consider the rebirth of humanism during the Renaissance, religious reform, and the development of Western influence in the world. By examining the material thematically, students will be able to identify the links between the early modern period and our own time.

Prerequisites: HIST 2101 recommended

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Europe 1789-1914

Students will examine the disturbances that began in France in 1789 and which signified the beginning of a new era where tradition and stability gave way to revolution and questioning. They will also study the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the ways in which it rewrote Europe’s socio-economic history, creating new challenges for its political system. Students will examine the revolutionary changes that dominated the era 1789 to 1914, while at the same time identifying those elements of tradition that transcended the constant upheavals of this period.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Introduction to World Civilizations

Students will analyze the rise and fall of some of the great civilizations of the world. They will focus primarily on non-western civilizations including China, Japan, Islam, India, and the civilizations of Africa and the Americas. Students will conclude by examining the rise of Western Civilization and the resultant struggles between tradition and westernization which have become an increasingly prominent feature of the last few decades. They will also evaluate the nature and adequacy of terms such as “civilization,” “traditional,” and “modern.”

Prerequisites: Any 1100 HIST course

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Twentieth Century Britain

After a brief introduction to the guarded optimism of the Edwardian Age, students will thematically examine the socio-political impact of the First World War; the inter-war period and the rise of leftist politics; the impact of the decline of the British Empire; the trauma of the Great Depression; appeasement and the Second World War; post-war recovery and Britain under the American shadow; the social upheaval of the sixties; and the gradual swing to the right under Margaret Thatcher. They will conclude this course with an examination of Britain in the new Europe.

Prerequisites: (HIST 1119 or 1120 or 1121 recommended)

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Quebec in Canada

Students will examine the sometimes stormy relationship between French and English Canadians within modern Canada and the tensions within Québec society since the Conquest of 1760, particularly since Confederation in 1867. Students will apply an historical perspective in order to understand competing views and to evaluate the role of compromise and accommodation in this relationship. Students will also learn how to assemble evidence in order to produce and present an historically sound argument through a written research paper and final research essay.

Prerequisites: Any Canadian HIST 1000 level course recommended

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

War in the Modern World (this course will change effective Sept. 2007. View future changes ).

Students will examine several of the formative military conflicts in modern history in order to understand the interaction between war and society. They will begin with an examination of war and its role in human history and then move on to study the Thirty Years War and the Treaty of Westphalia, examining the crucial role that these events played in the emergence of Modern Europe. Students will also look at some of the major conflicts which have occurred between the seventeenth century and the twenty-first, in order to determine their impact on global development. Students will also learn how to assemble evidence in order to produce and present an historically sound argument through a major essay and oral presentation.

Prerequisites: Any HIST 1100 level course required

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Ancient and Imperial China

Students will analyze the social, cultural, economic, intellectual, and politcal history of China from earliest recorded times to the beginning of the Late Imperial Period (approximately 1800). They will evaluate the importance of key personalities, events, and philosophical concepts from China's past, as well as the major schools of interpretation of Chinese history.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)
 

Modern Chinese History

Students will identify and analyze the main trends in Chinese political, economic, social, cultural and intellectual history in the Late Imperial Era (1800-1911), the Republican Period (1911-1949), and the Communist People’s Republic (1949 to the present). They will evaluate the role of key personalities and ideas, the effects of social disintegration, foreign imperialism, and the struggles between traditional and modern forces.

India: Aryans to Mughals

Students will examine major developments in Indian society and culture from the beginnings of civilization on the subcontinent, through the development of political structures under the early and medieval kingdoms, to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

Prerequisites: (HIST 1101 or 1102 or 2300 strongly recommended)

India: Mughals to Independence

Students will examine major developments in Indian society and culture from the establishment of the Mughal Empire through the period of British Raj, including the origins and growth of the independence movement, and the emergence of post-colonial independent states on the subcontinent.

Prerequisites: (HIST 2300 or 2361 strongly recommended)

The United States Since 1945

Students will examine and analyze key developments in the history of the United States from 1945 to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the Cold War, reform movements, cultural trends, national politics, and global relations. Students will develop critical intellectual skills that enable them to learn from the past

Prerequisites: HIST 1145, 1146 or 2304 recommended

The Fibre of Society: Textile Production in Global History

Students will critically analyze the connection between the production of textiles and global development. From the Paleolithic era to the post-industrial world, textile production has shaped the world in which we live. Students will critically examine key eras in historical development and will study the ways in which the production of textiles has shaped, transformed, and enhanced global development. Students will analyze topics such as the Paleolithic string revolution; textile production in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and China; the role and impact of the Silk Road; and the connection between textiles, slavery, colonialism, industrialization, and capitalism.

Prerequisites: any 1100-level HIST course or 60 credits at 1100-level or higher

Transferable (refer to transfer guide

Canadian Social History: Order and Disorder

Students will critically analyze a key element of Canadian social history by examining protest and the legal responses of Canadian governments to activities ranging from strikes and riots to campaigns for free speech, native rights, gender equality, environmental protection, and treason. They will critically examine the landmark legal cases that crystallize these issues. Students will evaluate trials to reveal not only a society’s practice of adjudication and system of jurisprudence, but also its often hidden beliefs, customs, and cultural values.
NOTE: This is a seminar-based coursedescription

Prerequisites: Six HIST credits including HIST 1114

Transferable (refer to transfer guide) 

The Balkans from 1543-1918

Students will critically analyze the history of the Balkan Peninsula and its peoples from the period of Ottoman rule to the establishment of independent states after the First World War. They will evaluate the impact of Ottoman domination, on the forces that led to its disintegration and the region and analyze the subsequent struggle to achieve independence. They will also analyze the ways in which historians have approached the history of the Balkan Peninsula.

Prerequisites: HIST 1119 or 1120 or 1130 or 2102

History of Russia to 1917

Students will critically analyze the major developments in, and the role of individuals who shaped pre-Bolshevik Russia. They will evaluate and analyze political, cultural, and social developments beginning with the rise of Muscovite Russia and the evolution of Russian absolutism, and concluding with an analysis of the last years of Imperial Russia, war, and revolution. Students will focus on the relationship between the autocratic state and Russian society. Students will also be introduced to the historiography of Imperial Russia.

Prerequisites:HIST 1101 or 1102 or 1119 or 1120

History of the Soviet Union

Students will critically analyze the major developments in, and the role of the individuals who shaped Soviet history from 1917 to 1991. They will evaluate and analyze political, cultural, and social developments, including the revolutionary era, the New Economic Policy, Stalinism and its implications, de-Stalinization under Khrushchev, and the Brezhnev era. Students will critically evaluate the Gorbachev era and analyze the reasons for and implications of the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union. They will also analyze the ways in which historians have approached the history of the Soviet era.

Prerequisites: HIST 1119 or 1120 or 1121 or 1130 or 1131

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Germany in the Long Nineteenth Century

Students will analyze key issues in the creation, expansion, and ultimately the collapse of Imperial Germany, a process which consumed much of what historians have labeled the long nineteenth century. They will examine questions of national identity, state formation, economic, social and cultural development, with specific focus on issues such as militarism, religious conflict, the evolution of political ideologies, the history of everyday life, and the vitality of German culture. Students will also examine and analyze important historiographical debates throughout the course.

Note: This is a seminar-based course

Prerequisites: HIST 1119 or 1120 or 1130

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Twentieth Century Germany

Students will analyze key issues in the political, economic, social, and cultural development of Germany in the 20th century. They will critically examine the events which led the nation of Goethe and Einstein to produce Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist and ultimately the destruction of some twelve million people. Students will also analyze the postwar development of the divided Germanies, and the events which led to reunification in 1989. They will examine and critique important historiographical debates throughout the course.

Note: This is a seminar-based course

Prerequisites: HIST 1120 or 1121 or 1130 or 1131

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

China in the Twentieth Century: Reforms and Revolutions

Students will examine the tumultuous history of the world's largest country from the Boxer Rebellion to the dawn of the twenty-first century. They will critically analyze the interplay between indigenous culture and institutions and external models which has marked this period of Chinese history more than any other. They will examine in detail how and why China attempted to use what had worked in other countries to force external solutions onto intractable Chinese reality. Throughout the course they will also critically appraise the historiographical debates on the ways that Chinese leaders, intellectuals and citizens from the Qing dynasty to the Communist Party creatively adapted and even changed what they had received from abroad into their own unique syntheses.

Note: This is a seminar-based course.

Prerequisites: HIST 2345 or 2350

British India, 1857-1947 (this course will change effective May 2007. View future changes ).

Students will examine developments in Indian society and culture during the period of British Raj, including in-depth analysis of the establishment and structure of British rule, the origins and growth of the independence movement, the evolution of political institutions, and the emergence of post-colonial independent states on the subcontinent.

Prerequisites: HIST 2361 or 2362

Indian Subcontinent since 1947

Students will critically analyze the political, social, and cultural developments since independence in 1947 in the states of the Indian subcontinent: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. They will examine developments such as the evolution of nationalism, the construction of political and administrative systems, cultural and social changes, inter-state relations, and major political and economic events and developments to the end of the twentieth century.

Prerequisites: 9 HIST credits, including 3 at the 2000 level

History of Modern Japan

Students will critically examine the history of Japan during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They will analyze the impact of the West, the formation of the modern imperial state, social conflict during the Taisho period, the creation of the Japanese empire, the China and Pacific Wars, the Occupation Era, and the structural realignments of the postwar period. In addition to exploring social, cultural, political, and economic changes during this period, students will also critically examine the evolution of Japanese understandings of 'modernity' and 'tradition' and the construction of modern Japanese identity.

Prerequisites: HIST 1130 or 1150 or 1151

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

British Society & Culture, 1900-2000

Students will interpret key issues in the development of Britain's social and cultural history through the twentieth century. They will understand that the typical interpretation of this period, that of a nation in decline, is superficial and needs significantly more sophisticated analysis. Students will determine whether a nation in an evolutionary state of democratization, and one that today gives cultural cues to much of the rest of the world, cannot be dismissed as solely a nation in decline. They will understand that the common thread stitching the course together will be the changing face of social class and the interplay between this and the development of modern British culture-both 'high-' and 'low-brow'. Students will analyze developments as far- ranging as from the decline of aristocracy and the emergence of Pop Art in the 1960s to the emergence of a middle class hegemony and the creation of Margaret Thatcher's "nation of home owners".

Note: This is a seminar-based course.

Prerequisites: 12 HIST credits, including 6 at the 2000-level (HIST 2307 strongly recommended)

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

The Holocaust in History

Students will critically analyze the origins, causes, progression, and development of the National Socialist campaign against the Jews and the so-called '"Undesirables" who found themselves living under Hitler's New Order. They will utilize an interdisciplinary approach to examine and analyze the groups and individuals involved in the Holocaust, including perpetrators, victims, bystanders, resistance fighters, and rescuers. Students will also critically evaluate the meaning, impact, and aftermath of the Holocaust through readings, film, and discussions, paying particular attention to the interrelationship of technology, bureaucracy, and genocide. They will evaluate in-depth the historiographical debates concerning the origins, evolution, impact, and memorialization of the Holocaust.Note: This is a seminar-based course.

Prerequisites: 12 HIST credits, including 6 at the 2000-level

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)