Please note:

To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.

French, History and Politics Joint Major

Bachelor of Arts

Admission Requirements

Before being formally admitted to the program, students must complete the lower division requirements (see below) with a minimum 2.0 grade or better in each of the specified courses (or equivalents).

For information about initial FREN course selection, the French language placement test, and FREN course disciplines, visit https://www.sfu.ca/french/undergraduate.html.

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Before being formally admitted to the program, students will complete the following 42 units.

  • 15 units of French
  • 12 units of history
  • 12 units of political science
  • three additional units of either history or political science

French

Students complete a total of 15 units, including both of

FREN 245 - Introduction to French and Francophone Studies (3)

An introduction to French literary studies with selected works in poetry and prose, including theatre. Attention will be given to methods of analysis. The course will be conducted in French. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students with credit for FREN 240 or 230 cannot take FREN 245 for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Jorge Calderon
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
FREN 275 - French Inside Out: Introduction to French Language, Culture, and Society (3)

Introduces to some fundamental questions about human behavior that can be answered by the study of the language forms, structure, and use. Topics such as how did language begin? Where is French from, and how did it change over the years? How does French vary from place to place, from context to context? Prerequisite: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students who have credit for FREN 270 or 370 or LING 222 cannot complete this course for further credit. May not be taken concurrently with LING 222. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Gaelle Planchenault
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby

and nine additional lower division units in FREN

History

Students complete a total of 12-15 lower division history units from the following list. Students may choose other courses only in consultation and with approval of a history department advisor.

Students must complete at least nine lower division history units before enrolling in upper division work.

HIST 101 - Canada to Confederation (3)

A survey of Canadian history to 1867. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 102W - Canada since Confederation (3)

Canadian social, political, and economic history from 1867, examining Indigenous/colonial settler relations, immigration, regionalism, foreign policy, economic development, culture, and political movements. Students with credit for HIST 102 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 John-Henry Harter
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D111 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 104 - The Americas from Colonization to Independence (3)

A comparative exploration of the colonization of North and South America by the various European empires together with the role of Native and African peoples in the Americas, from the late fifteenth century to the onset of political independence three hundred years later. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Nicholas May
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Nicholas May
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 106 - The Making of Modern Europe (3)

An introduction to the major political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual developments that have formed modern European society. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 146 - Africa after the Transatlantic Slave Trade (3)

An introductory survey of African perspectives on, and experiences of, history since abolition in the 1830s. Themes include: oral history; colonization and resistance; social, political and environmental change under colonial rule; independence movements and decolonization; cultures and religions; and the search for stability and prosperity post-independence. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 151 - The Modern Middle East (3)

An introductory survey of the changing societies of the Middle East since 1800. Emphasis will be placed on familiarizing students with the basic aspects of Islamic society, the influence of European imperialism, the modernization of traditional societies, the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the social and political ferment in the period since the Second World War. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D900 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D901 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Surrey
D902 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
HIST 220 - Late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (3)

An introduction to the world of late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (c.1200-c.1500). Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 223 - Early Modern Europe, 1500-1789 (3)

A survey of early modern European history which will examine, among other topics, the wars of religion, the 17th century revolutions, 16th and 17th century economic development, the scientific revolution, the enlightenment and the political and social character of the old regime. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 224 - Europe from the French Revolution to the First World War (3)

A survey of European history emphasizing the French Revolution, and Napoleonic Europe and first Industrial Revolution, liberalism and its opponents, agrarian conservatism, liberalism and conservatism, the Revolutions of 1848, the struggles for political unification, the second Industrial Revolution and the origins of the First World War. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 225 - 20th Century Europe (3)

A survey of European history from the First World War emphasizing the origins and effects of the World Wars, the emergence of the Soviet Union and of fascism. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Ilya Vinkovetsky
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Political Science

Students complete 12-15 lower division political science units including POL 100-3 Introduction to Politics and Government or POL 101W-3 Introduction to Politics and Government.

Choose courses in consultation with the political science student advisor, or the Department of Political Science's program steering committee representative. Such choices must fit with the thematicity criteria of the joint major to the satisfaction of the steering committee.

Upper Division Requirements

The following are required for a total of 47 units.

  • 15 units of French
  • 16 units of history
  • 16 units of political science

French

Students complete a total of 15 units, including

FREN 301W - Writing Your Way Toward French Proficiency (3)

A writing course to improve precision, organization and style when writing academically or creatively in French. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students with credit for FREN 301 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Paola De Rycke
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
F100 Loic Million
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
F200 Guillaume Girard
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby

and 12 units of FREN courses, six of which must be from 300 division FREN courses and another six must be from 400 division FREN courses. (See FREN courses for details about the FREN courses that the department offers.)

NOTE: SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of French may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html and https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/programs/french/master-of-arts.html.

History

Students complete a total of 16 upper division history units from the following list. Students may choose other courses only in consultation and with approval of a history department advisor.

HIST 319 - Modern France (4)

An examination of the history of modern France from 1789 to the present with a focus on the social, political, and cultural divisions within the French nation resulting from the Revolutionary era, industrialization, the expansion and eventual decolonization of France's colonial empire, and the World Wars and their consequences. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history.

HIST 336 - Ideas and Society in Early Modern Europe (4)

An examination of intellectual developments of early modern Europe (sixteenth to eighteenth centuries) in their broader social, cultural, political or economic contexts. The course will focus on a particular subject e.g. Northern humanism, debates about the nature and social role of women (the querelle de femmes), the Enlightenment. Students will read excerpts from important contemporary sources. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 223 or 224.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Hilmar Pabel
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 338 - World War II (4)

An introduction to the history of the origins and course of the second world war. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 225.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Lauren Rossi
Online
HIST 350 - The Ottoman Empire and Turkey (4)

A study of Ottoman society and the impact of Ottoman rule in the Middle East from the conquest of Constantinople to the death of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Emphasis will be on the conflict between preservation and reform in the nineteenth century and on the significance of the Ottoman legacy for twentieth century Turkey and the Arab world. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: one of HIST 151, 249.

HIST 352 - Religion and Politics in Modern Iran (4)

The intellectual and social history of greater Iran from the Safavids to the twentieth century. Emphasis will be on the relationship between religion and politics. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: one of HIST 151, 249.

HIST 355 - The Arab Middle East in the Twentieth Century (4)

An examination of this century's major themes in the history of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as other states of the Arabian peninsula. Topics to be investigated include the origins of Arab nationalism and Islamic reformism; the origins and development of the Lebanese question; the emergence of the politics of the military in Iraq and Syria, and the special role of the Jordanian and Arabian monarchies. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: one of HIST 151, 249.

HIST 416 - The French Revolution (4)

An analysis of the origins of the Revolution, of its changing nature, and of its impact on society. The Revolution will be examined in its European context. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 223, 224.

HIST 417W - Problems in Modern French History (4)

An examination of a principal aspect of, or period in, the history of French society since the Revolution. For example, attention may be given to the 19th century French revolutionary tradition, or to society and culture in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Republics, or to colonialism and decolonisation. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 417W may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 224 or 225. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Roxanne Panchasi
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 424 - Problems in the Cultural History of Canada (4)

Selected problems in Canadian ideas and attitudes on such topics as the arts, religion, education, minority and native cultures, nationalism, and Canadian historiography. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 424 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 101, 102W.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Nicholas May
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 428 - Problems in the Social and Economic History of Canada (4)

Selected problems in the history of Canadian agriculture and industrial development, migration and settlement, labor, native policy and class structure. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 428 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 101, 102W.

HIST 430 - French Americas (4)

Social, cultural, intellectual, economic, and political aspects of the French and Francophone presence in the Americas, from the colonial era to the present. Prerequisite: 45 units, including nine units of lower division history or permission of the instructor. Recommended: HIST 101, 102W, 104.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
F100 Nicolas Kenny
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 465 - The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (4)

A discussion of the modern history of nation-building in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The topics discussed include Zionism, the British Mandate in Palestine, the creation of the state of Israel, the rise of modern Palestinian nationalism, and the role of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute in regional and international affairs. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history and one of HIST 151, 249, 350, 354, 355 or permission of the department.

Political Science

Students complete at least 16 upper division political science units. Choose courses in consultation with the political science student advisor, or the Department of Political Science's program steering committee representative. Such choices must fit with the thematicity criteria of the joint major to the satisfaction of the steering committee.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes

  • at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
  • an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division overall CGPA of at least 2.0, and program CGPA and upper division program CGPA of at least 2.0 on the course work used to satisfy the minimum program requirements. FASS departments may define additional GPA requirements for their respective programs.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.