Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - HIST 494 D100

Honours Seminar (4)

Class Number: 5587

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    Admission to the honours program in history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to SFU historians and their research, in which students will engage the scholarly community in a cohort-specific project. Students with credit for HIST 305 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Historians at Work: Professional Practice and Futures Potential

What is the “work” in the life of a professional historian, or indeed anyone who deploys historical thinking, research, writing, and interpretation in professional practice? How is historical practice shaped by, or reflective of, wider social, economic, and political context, working conditions, and market forces? In this seminar we will consider how research, teaching, publishing, administration and public service have been conducted in Universities in the lower mainland, and look at how historical thinking is practiced in alternative career pathways. In our survey of the rich assemblage of historians’ output and influence, we will encounter published works, grant proposals, course syllabi, newspaper articles, podcasts, social media, digital and physical archives, materials, museum displays, historical re-enactments, and creative works.

Hist 494 is a course that supports Honours students as they conduct research and write their theses. Students will have an opportunity to share their work in progress. As a cohort, you will help set the agenda for the class and fulfill individual and shared goals in learning about the discipline during what for many will be their final term. Weekly meetings will involve discussion of assigned material, workshops with faculty members, and group work towards a final project related to each student’s research.

Grading

  • Assessments (up to 20% redistribution as per student preference)
  • Participation 20%
  • "Hour of Power" 20%
  • Written/Oral Responses 20%
  • Final Project 40%

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).