HIST 4304A: Canada: Politics and Society – The Canadian Brewing Industry and Beer Drinking, 1670-2020
Fall 2021 – Winter 2022
Instructor: Prof. Matthew J. Bellamy
Introduction
The mere mention of the history of beer drinking and brewing, to paraphrase Richard W. Unger, a distinguished historian of the art, usually brings a chuckle or, worse, a snicker. Why would one study the history of a commodity which is so closely associated today with leisure, young people, sports and student life? For some people the history of beer and brewing is not a serious subject of study. To them it is frivolous, worthy perhaps of a passing reference — a historical footnote — but not deserving of comprehensive study. This perception, however, is a case of historical myopia, an inability of people at the beginning of the twenty-first century to picture a world different from their own, one in which beer was a daily necessity of life and brewing an essential enterprise.
Class Format
Each week we will meet to discuss a clearly defined theme in the history of the Canadian brewing and beer drinking. Such themes will include: the birth of the Canadian brewing industry; brewing and the spirit of Canadian capitalism; the rise of teetotalism and the working-class saloon; the effect of war on brewing and beer drinking; prohibition, bootlegging, and the role of the brewers in creating a beer-drinking nation; beer advertising; the relationship between beer and sport; the globalization of the Canadian brewing; and the craft-beer revolution.
Assessment
Students will be expected to have done the assigned readings and to contribute to the discussion. During the first half of the course we will be reading a series of historical works. Students will be asked to make weekly presentations based on the reading material. During the second half of the course, students will have the opportunity to research and write their own papers (18-20 pages) on some aspect of the history of Canadian brewing and beer drinking. The papers should reflect a solid grasp of the existing historiography on that topic and should involve some amount of primary research.
Learning Outcomes
- To understand and explain the evolution of the Canadian brewing industry from its beginning until the craft brewing revolution.
- To analyze and assess historical documents, artifacts, and other primary sources.
- To evaluate historical arguments and historical scholarship.
- To conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources.
- to express in writing the results of historical thinking and research.
I look forward to exploring this intoxicating topic with you. If any further information is requested, please do not hesitate to contact me at Matthew_Bellamy@Carleton.ca.