HIST 3537 continues the exploration of the 400-year history of Black people from the turn of the twentieth century. It begins with the pre-First World War era. Twentieth century themes include Black Canadian’s places in the industrial economy, their contributions to Canadian military operations, post-World War II migration from the Caribbean and Africa, and African Canadians’ participation in trans-national Black liberation movements.

Through an examination of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, students will be asked to address themes such as migration patterns, work experiences, family structures, community organizations, and political activism. The course will also consider how class, national origin, gender and sexuality intersected with “race” to produce African Canadian identities over time. These themes will be explored through texts, documentaries, films, and primary source analysis.

HIST 3537 will provide explicit instruction in critical analytical skills including interpreting primary texts and scholarly arguments. Student communication, both oral and written, will be evaluated. The readings offered for this course offer students a solid factual background. Lectures will offer students detailed context to wide-ranging content on significant historical events, individuals, and places related to African Canadian history.

A key learning goal is to ground students in foundational knowledge to better understand the diverse social, political, economic, and cultural experiences of people of African descent in Canada.

*TENTATIVE*

Students will read a range of book chapters and articles and watch assigned short videos.

*TENTATIVE*

Primary Document Analysis 15%
Oral Presentation 10%
Two short summative and reflective written
assignments (~500 words, 5% each) 10%
Essay 20%
Final Exam 30%
Tutorial Participation/Contributions (evaluated weekly) 15%

The course involves weekly meetings. These sessions will combine lectures and discussions of required readings, supplementary texts, and viewing films which serve to introduce, enrich, clarify, and illustrate course topics and themes. There will also be activities to apply skills and concepts taught. Students are expected to read the assigned materials before each class, to attend class regularly and to contribute to the discussions as fully as possible. Students are expected to complete the assignments in the course to fulfill assessment requirements.

To introduce and excite undergraduate students about the study of African Canadian history specifically and Canadian history broadly.

To ground early history learners in some of the essential knowledge, tools, and skills for successful history education and future pursuits in the study of African Canadian history specifically and Canadian history broadly.