Examines how selected themes in the history of war have been represented in both documentary and dramatic films, how film has shaped our understanding of the nature of war, and how it is used as an historical document by military historians.

Introduces the military and diplomatic history of the Second World War through an in-depth look at the Mediterranean campaigns, intrigues and deception conducted by the Western Allies against Italy and Germany. These campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and the Balkans generated a mixture of tension and compromise between American, British and Russian decision makers as well as the 27 separate contributing nations from Commonwealth Canada and India to free Poland, France and lesser known Brazil and Palestine. Focuses on the formulation of grand strategy, the links between civil and military war objectives, the problems of multi-national coalition warfare, and the planning and execution of combat operations in some of the most difficult and rugged terrain of the war.

After sketching the period of British military responsibility, this course traces the development of Canadian defence policy and the emergence of Canada’s military forces from Confederation to the Korean War. The primary focus of the course is on the way in which hastily mobilized citizen armies fought the two world wars of the twentieth century and developed a high degree of professionalism in the process.

This course traces the evolution of Canadian defence policy and the Canadian Forces through the Cold War and its aftermath. Special attention is paid to Canada’s role in conflict zones around the world as part of the United Nations, NATO and other international coalitions, and to the often vexed relationship between Canada and its professional Armed Forces

This team-taught course explores the rise of Fascist Italy, its alliance with Nazi Germany and the bitter struggle waged against them by the Allies and anti-fascist Italians from 1943-45. Will be taught on location throughout Italy, and centres on visiting historic sites, monuments and battlefields. Italy's unique geography made the campaign especially difficult for its participants and provides students with the subject for much of their study. Although the course addresses the campaign as a whole, special attention is paid to the highly successful, yet little-known, Canadian contribution to the battles at Ortona, the Liri Valley and the Gothic Line. 

This course explores the rise to prominence of unconventional warfare since 1945. It discusses the reasons for dominance of these forms of warfare and the implications of it for governments, military forces and civilian populations. The course introduces students to the concepts of revolutionary war, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, covert action, and counter-insurgency, the theories and their theorists. These themes will be illustrated through a series of case studies, from the insurgencies of the post-1945 anti-colonial period to the ethnic conflicts and genocides of the post-Cold War era.

This course examines the causes, conduct, and consequences of the major conventional wars fought since 1945. It will explain reasons for the shift of war from Europe to the non-European world; changes in the way war has been conducted, with particular emphasis on technological change and the impact on the battlefield and on non-combatants; and changes in the way military forces are created, commanded and used. These themes will be illustrated through a series of case studies from the Korean War to the war in Iraq. 

Explores the uses, abuses and development of military power within Western society since 1500. Focuses on how military power is shaped and limited by the technological, social, political, ideological and economic factors of the day. Restriction: Credit will not be given for both HIST 1004 and HIST 3825; and this course is not available for credit to students who have taken HIST 2825. 

Examines how Canadian history has been shaped by military action or the threat of it. Studies Canada as a battleground for European empires in the colonial period, later as an element of British imperial defense policy against the United States, and finally Canada's emergence as an independent player in the major conflicts of the twentieth century. Restriction: Not available for credit to students who have taken HIST 2835 . 

A military history of the First World War, relating events on the various fronts to their social, political and strategic contexts and looking at tactical, technological and doctrinal developments in the use of arms.

Examines the campaigns, their technical and tactical developments, and principal personalities.

Examines the military experience of the soldier from the Greek hoplite to the modern warrior. Focuses on such subjects as recruitment, training and preparation for battle and wartime experience, through the vast primary literature that chronicles the life of the soldier.

Examines legal restraints on armed combat since circa 1500. Explores, among other topics, the recent influence of international legal regimens on military strategy, on land, sea and air action, and on peace-keeping. 

Examines the evolution of terrorism, primarily by non-state groups, as an agent of historical change. While considering debates over the definition, nature, and causes of terrorism, the course also explores the theories and theorists which shaped terrorist activities. Attention is devoted to the impact of terrorism on victims and societies and to the evolution of and controversies surrounding counter-terrorism policies. Case studies will derive primarily from the period between the late nineteenth century and the present.