HIST 2303A: Canadian Political History

Instructor: Jean-Pierre Morin (Fall) and Professor Paul Litt (Winter)

Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the main events and issues that have shaped the development of Canadian politics from pre-contact to recent times. Its structure is chronological with regular deviations to explore major themes in depth. The fall term will cover the pre-Confederation period; the winter term post-Confederation. Traditionally politics was the main lens through which scholars interpreted Canadian history. Other perspectives have come to the fore in recent decades, yet political history is still a dominant interpretive mode through which the Canadian public understands its past. Therefore this course will foreground the biases, uses and consequences of focusing on politics as a way of understanding history.

Main Themes:

• indigenous-settler relations
• colonization
• the effects of European imperialism
• French-English and other intra-ethnic relations
• political economy
• regionalism
• modernization
• state formation
• democratization
• immigration policy
• the principles and effects of political ideologies
• party politics
• leadership
• nationalism
• social justice
  
  

Evaluation:
You will be asked to write an essay and a final examination in each term of this course. There will also be discussions of central issues. Your final grade will therefore be comprised of the following components.

Fall Essay                                                           25%
Fall Exam                                                           20%
Winter Essay                                                      25%
Final Exam                                                         20%
Class Participation                                             10%

Aims: To provide students with a working knowledge of Canada’s political history

1. as cultural capital for responsible citizenship, and/or
2. to demonstrate the intrinsic interest of different historical eras, and/or
3. to develop historical mindedness to inform judgement, and/or
4. to cultivate critical skills capable of recognizing and analyzing ambiguity

Class Format:
Lectures with interactive exercises such as discussions of readings, primary source analysis, team analyses of issues.

Questions? Please email us at JeanPierreMorin@cunet.carleton.ca or PaulLitt@cunet.carleton.ca