uwloo

HIST 105Rock 'n' Roll and US History

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
History

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course explores the politics, culture, media, race relations, and gender relations of the United States after 1945 through the lens of rock and roll.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0018081108 / 120TTh 11:30–12:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

92% liked it93% easy51% useful

From 53 ratings and 18 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • As someone who took music 140, most of this course was repeated material. However, while music 140 spent time to talk about music theory, this course solely focused on the history. This course also talked about music in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s which was missed out on in music 140. For a course like this, I found that if I wasn't interested in the specific music topic of the lecture, it was hard to pay attention. But generally, all the lectures were very interesting and deepened my knowledge of american history and music. The grading scheme consisted of 3 essays, which weren't difficult but were marked a bit hard. The course covers a lot of content, and you easily get docked marks on the…

    May 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • THIS IS THE BEST BIRD COURSE IN THE WORLD! Prof is amazing, classes are fun and interesting, very easy to receive high grade in this course. Also, don't buy the textbook for this course, you only need it for one assignment and can easily get it on reserve for a couple hours to photocopy the documents you need.

    Nov 2016 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • One of the best classes I ever took if you're interested in music. Lots of examples and listening to songs in class, plus lots of anecdotes make it so that the content doesn't get dry. i just wish i could take it again! ahaha

    May 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • structure of the course is as follows:
    3 essays - that is it.
    1 at the beginning
    1 at the midterm point
    final one as an "exam"
    5-6 pages minimum, however, prof has a rule where it cannot be outside resources. So only materials from the lecture, slides, tumblr and textbook can be used.
    Buy the textbook second hand. You'll need it. Or at least get a copy online. You have to get the textbook because its a requirement for one of the essays

    May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • the lectures are super fun! I had it with Andrew Hunt and he was a great lecturer :)

    Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

41 posts and comments in 31 threads mention HIST 105, July 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2024

Fall 2023

Fun electives 5 points, 16 comments

“What are some of the most fun/ interesting elective courses you’ve taken at uw?”

u/BattlestarGalacticum: “I loved HIST105. There was 3 papers and Prof Hunt was super nice about extensions. Plus your homework was literally to listen to music on blast. 10/10 wish I could take again.”

u/RMSultan: “Took HIST105 back in 2018 and it was one of my favourite courses i ever took, I love Prof Hunt”

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Fall 2022

BIRDIEST courses of all time 24 points, 38 comments

“Hi folks. What courses would you say are the BIRDIEST of all time? I won't need to pick courses till Winter but I'm trying to start getting a list together. …”

u/RaisinLover024: “I just finished HIST105 and if you have essay writing skills (ie can write an essay in 3 hours 3x a term) then you can get a 90+.”

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Hist course 5 points, 7 comments

“Does anyone know of any bird or easy history courses our uni offers? It doesn’t necessarily have to be a bird course but I won’t be able to spend too much time writing essays and I’d rather take a …”

u/saulgoodman1128: “HIST 105 is the best class I’ve ever taken. 3 large assignments and excellent lectures.”

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Winter 2022

What are the coolest/most interesting electives to take? 23 points, 30 comments

“What are some interesting electives to take. In high school my most memorable courses were drama and hospitality. What are some cool electives to take here. …”

u/cyclistalex: “If you like rock n roll and history, I’d recommend HIST 105 - Rock n Roll and US History. Very interesting and the prof is great. Lots of people consider it a bird course as well”

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Fall 2021

Spring 2021

[deleted by user] 1 point, 12 comments

u/Deputy_Dan: “Which ones are you thinking? (Look at my flair 😉)”

u/Deputy_Dan: “… As for more general history courses in the 100-200 range; HIST 105: Rock 'n' Roll and US History HIST 110: A History of the Western World I (and HIST 111, part 2) HIST 113: Canadian Business History: Innovators and Entrepreneurs HIST 200: History and Film (great way to learn …”

u/imnotarianagrande: “… in hist 105 we watched lots of music videos which was a great break in the lecture itself”

u/BizarreLT: “Hist 105: rock n roll u.s history”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar