Courses

Explores issues in the history of British Columbia from its earliest beginnings to the early 2000s. In particular, the province's move from regionalism, to provincialism, to internationalism is explored by examining many of the social, cultural, political, and economic forces of change that shape the West Beyond the West in Canada. The lectures, readings, and discussions focus on specific aspects of BC's history that particularly enlighten us about the character of the region, its unique place in Canadian history, and how these events have shaped the province today.

A historical and political analysis of the major steps leading to the present constitution, including landmark court cases, attempted and successful amendments (Constitution Act 1981, the Meech Lake Accord, the Charlottetown Accord, etc) and various historical acts both prior to and postConfederation.

This course examines selected Canadian authors (George Grant, Will Kymlicka, and Charles Taylor most prominently) who have contributed significantly to the development of Canadian political discourse. Topics include federalism, multiculturalism, and national identity. The systematic study of these particular authors aids in understanding the development of Canadian political thought. The first part of the course provides the intellectual history to enable an effective study of George P. Grant, Will Kymlicka, and Charles Taylor through a careful reading of Fierlbeck, Political Thought in Canada: An Intellectual History.

Examines major developments in the society and culture of Canada with a particular spotlight on the diverse experience of the people who made Canada. The course highlights aspects of Canadian identity as seen through the lenses of gender, race, class, ethnicity, religion, and region. The focus is on the interaction between settlers and Indigenous peoples, migrant groups, and the host society, rural and urban societies, education and social reforms, labour and capital, and changing gender roles.

Surveys the changing social, political, and cultural impact of war on Canada in the twentieth century. The course is divided into four sections—World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and Post-Cold War. In each section students examine Canadian responses to war and warfare and the impact of those responses in shaping Canadian politics (both domestic and foreign policy), society, and culture. Topics include defence, security, and Canadian nationalism; the role of imperialism and continentalism in influencing Canadian identity and Canadian foreign policy; Canada as a middle power and the shift to Canada as a no power; war and the changing role of women in Canadian society; and the creation of Canadian military myths.

Examines the history of First Nations in Canada from pre-contact with newcomers through to the present time. Broad economic, social, and political themes that intersect with the history of its original peoples is covered including early encounters, fur trade economy, governmental policy, Christianity and culture, education, reservations and land claims. It surveys the major eras—assimilation, protection, civilization, marginalization, and integration—by specifically highlighting the observations and experiences of First Nations.

This course provides an overview of the formulation and trends of Canadian foreign policy from confederation to the present. The domestic and external determinants of Canadian foreign policy, the nature of the foreign policy-making process, and the evolution of key themes in Canadian foreign policy are its major themes.

An inquiry into the origins of European civilization. It examines what features from the ancient world survived the fall of Roman culture and the nature of the native Germanic and Slavic traditions. It looks at the way Christianity was received and altered. It looks at political, social, gender, and economic relationships and at the struggle between spiritual ideals on the one hand and traditional attitudes and material realities on the other.

Writing in the 1830s, Alex de Tocqueville noted the profound influence religion had upon the American populace, arguing that there are some who profess Christian dogmas because they believe them and others who do so because they are afraid to look as though they did not believe in them. So Christianity reigns without obstacles, by universal consent. At times, his comments continue to ring true, particularly with regard to the centrality of religious faith to the American experience. While not intended to be exhaustive, this course examines representative episodes in the history of religion in the United States, albeit largely in its Christian (and Protestant) form.