Course Synopsis:

INVITATION TO HISTORY

This course introduces students to the basics of the historian’s craft, including interpreting primary sources, locating and critically analyzing secondary sources, writing for history, and oral communication skills, both discussion and presentations. It will provide you with the tools you need for your success in your History major, minor or area of concentration

Sec 01: Crime and Culture:

What society deems ‘criminal’ can reveal insights into the culture of the time.

This course will investigate criminal acts such as homicide, witchcraft, theft and slander and how they were defined and prosecuted in past centuries. It will examine what the definition of particular behaviours as criminal can reveal about the societies in which they were punished. It will also look at episodes such as the European witch-hunt which led to the criminalization of particular groups. Extensive use of printed and online historical court records in class discussion, group presentations, and written assignments will help recover the experiences of people in the past. This course is a core requirement of the History program.

Method of Evaluation and Weights:

Written Assignments  50%  

Midterm/Final Exam   30%  

Participation/Presentations   20%

Texts and/or Resources Required:

No required texts. Readings will be made available on reserve at the library and online through Courselink.

*Please note: This is a preliminary website description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.