Course Synopsis:

This course will introduce students to some of the approaches and methods of historical writing in the Western tradition from the classical period through to the end of the nineteenth century. By reading a variety of famous histories, students will discuss how and why subject matter, style and methods of writing history have changed over the centuries. By the end of the course, students will better understand how history has been conceived and interpreted in the past and demonstrate an awareness of the political utility of collective memory.

Learning Outcomes:

By considering how past societies have read, written and interpreted the past, students will develop their own skills in historical analysis and writing.
Through their writing students will demonstrate an awareness of how political and cultural context shape how historians write about the past.
Through discussion students will reflect on what we can learn from the history of the discipline.

Method of Evaluation and Weights:

Seminar Participation:     30%
Seminar Leadership:     15%
Seminar Précis:     15%
Historiographical Essay:     40%
Total:     100%

Texts Required:

Breisach, Ernst. Historiography: Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. Other sources are available through the University of Guelph Library and 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.