Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - HIST 455W D100

Race in the Americas (4)

Class Number: 3910

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units including nine units of lower division history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the role of racial thinking in the history of the Americas, from the era of the Conquest to the present day. Topics may include African and Indigenous slavery, the development of scientific racism in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the persistence of racism in the present day. Students with credit for HIST 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores race and ethnicity with a focus on the United States and the Caribbean by presenting a narrative about what race and ethnicity has meant from the colonial period to the present, and how it has shaped society. Case studies will be examined in order to suggest general patterns and significant issues. The objective of the course, then, is to enrich our understanding of how critical aspects of today’s complex society developed. The lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments (including a research paper) are meant to supply students with opportunities to apply their analytical skills to the study of history, and to provide a safe and respectful space to interrogate race and ethnicity systematically and thoughtfully.

Grading

  • Research paper 30%
  • Final Presentation 10%
  • Research tasks 20%
  • Reading responses 20%
  • Participation 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.