Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - HIST 200 D100

Making History: Introduction to Historical Research (3)

Class Number: 2814

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Learning history by doing history. Introduction to a historical problem, and learning how to build and defend a historical interpretation through the analysis of primary and secondary sources. Small seminar format will allow hands-on experience developing research, writing, and presentation skills applicable to other history courses. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Cooking up Food History:Introduction to Historical Research

Did she “take her recipe to the grave” or post it in the graveyard? Recipes, cookbooks, advertisements, diaries, and foods themselves can reveal complex histories and everyday lives in the context of family, gender, class, culture, and environment. This course will provide students with the inter-disciplinary tools to investigate food history as well as the chance to practice research, writing, and presentations skills to build historical analyses, interpretations, and narratives. We will be working with the SFU Library Special Collections exhibit “Foodies and Flavours: Cookbooks as Historical Insight” and investigate collections for their materiality as well as their content.

This is a seminar style class where food has a seat at the table. We will discuss and investigate topics in a variety of formats: roundtable (whole class) lecture and discussion, small groups, media viewing, individual activities, and a Special Collections workshop. Active class participation is required. This could include: working in groups, posting to Canvas discussion boards, contributing food, reporting food in the news, in-class writing, sharing in workshops, and contributing to class discussions.

Grading

  • Food in the News and other Student Contributions 10%
  • Source Analysis 25%
  • Attendance, In-class and Participation 30%
  • Final Project: subdivided by proposal, draft, final submission 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Rampolla, Mary Lynn, 2021. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. Online via SFU library.

Other texts, videos, and resources to be posted or linked online through our Canvas course page.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Learn more about studing History at SFU:

History areas of study


Why study History?

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.