Program Overview

Pre-Confederation Canada (HIST*2100)

Course Details

This course covers selected events and issues in Canadian history from before 1500 to about 1867. Students will have the opportunity to explore topics further on an individual, more detailed and creative basis in their research essays. The course aims to expand students' understanding of the social, economic, environmental, and political aspects of Pre-Confederation Canada's development and its changing role within an international context. This course is a core requirement of the History Major or Minor.

Learning Outcomes

In successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain key factors and forces that have shaped the development of society, culture, politics, economics, and international relations in what would become Canada.
• Develop skills in working with and interpreting primary source materials.
• Gain experience in explaining historiographical debates in the scholarly literature.
• Improve oral communication skills, including active listening, through regular participation in seminar discussions.
• Assume professional responsibilities as budding historians by locating suitable primary source materials, books, and journal articles and ethically citing them in their work.
• Improve written and analytical skills by writing an essay proposal, an essay, and a final exam.

Method of Evaluation and Weights

• Seminar Participation: 20%
• Essay Proposal & Annotated Bibliography: 10%
• Research Essay: 35%
• Final Examination: 35%

Texts Required

There will be a general Canadian history text and a second book of readings for seminar discussions.

Department and College Information

The course is offered by the Department of History within the College of Arts. The College of Arts includes various schools and departments, such as:

• School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing
• School of Fine Art and Music
• School of Languages and Literatures
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Programs

The College of Arts also features several research centers and institutes, including:

• Centre for Scottish Studies
• Grounded and Engaged Theory Lab (GET)
• Interdisciplinary Design Lab
• The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation
• The Humanities Interdisciplinary Collaboration Lab (THINC)
• The School of Fine Art & Music Print Study Collection