HIST 1180

HIST 1180 introduces students to the study of history and debates about history and historiography (the “history of History”) through the depictions of the past in primary documents, scholarly texts, films, novels, games and other media. Weekly case studies explore major historical movements and people (e.g. Joan of Arc, the US Civil War; the Russian Revolution), and consider the challenges of popular depictions of historical events. Major themes include: what are the differences and similarities between history, legend, myth, propaganda, nostalgia, journalism and other forms of rehearsing the past; the “history of History” and approaches to understanding the past; methods of historical analysis; historians and accountability; challenges to traditional academic history and claims to truth; film and history; the history of film.