Fall 2019 - HUM 340 D100

Great Cities in Their Time (4)

London

Class Number: 1366

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 14, 2019
    Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An exploration of the cultural and intellectual accomplishments of a specific city that achieved prominence in a particular time period, and had substantial impact and influence on human civilization. Examines the political, social, religious, and cultural factors that help to explain a city's significance and investigates the achievements of its citizens. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:


Great Cities in Their Time: London   

The origins of London are lost in Britain’s pre-Celtic past. After the burning of Camulodunon (Colchester) in 60 BC, the little village on the Thames became the capital—first of a backwater Roman province, then of a kingdom rather peripheral to medieval Europe, and ultimately the seat of the British Empire and one of the great cities of the modern world. Aside from its political influence, London has shaped our language, from Chaucer to Shakespeare to Dickens, and our culture. Cultural trends from coffee and tea to curry and chips have gotten their first footholds in London, and the city remains a gateway between the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.

London will be the focus of the world’s media cycle in October / November as Brexit is delayed, or occurs, or is called off, and although the course is not about Brexit, we’ll be keeping an eye on it.

This course takes a two-tiered approach to London, on the one hand tracing its growth in size and importance through the great minds and great movements associated with it. On the other hand, we are also examining the lives of ordinary Londoners, especially as chronicled through the works of Chaucer, Pepys, Dickens, and their ilk, with an eye toward what makes London unique among large cities.


Grading

  • London Folklore Project 15%
  • Brexit Media Analysis 10%
  • Unsolved Crime Project 20%
  • Bespoke Walking Tour 20%
  • Final Exam 25%
  • Participation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Aaronovitch, Ben, Rivers of London.
ISBN: 978-0575097582

Ackroyd, Peter, London: The Biography.
ISBN: 978-0099422587

Additional excerpts from public domain authors will be available through WebCT.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS