Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - HIST 494 D100

Honours Seminar (4)

Class Number: 4738

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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:

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 the chance to lead for one hour during the term, in any participation based activity you would like. 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 some will be their final term. Weekly meetings will involve discussion of assigned material, workshops with guests from within and outside of academia, and creation of a public-facing application of your Honours research.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Written/Oral Responses 20%
  • "Your Hour" 20%
  • Final Project (scaffolded) 40%

NOTES:

Assessments (Students can apply 10% flex) (as above)

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