HIST 109Ten Days That Shook the World
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- History
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 0 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Focusing on ten different days that forever transformed the world's history, this course introduces students to moments of dramatic change in diverse time periods and places. Topics may include the Fall of Ancient and Modern Regimes; the Age of Discovery; Religious Cataclysm; Revolutionary Wars; Technological, Intellectual, and Scientific Inventions. Students are introduced to the differing methods that historians use to understand the past.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
46% liked it38% easy22% useful
From 13 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Take this class if you want boring lectures and weekly essays.
May 2019 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The TAs marked everything and they were super biased. My friend and I would get completely different grades on the weekly responses. Some of the lecturers sucked and were totally boring. I would not recommend this course, especially to people who like to spend time focusing on one historical event rather than 10 different ones.
Mar 2019 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Most biased and unfair course ever. Completely different grades for the weekly papers. Lectures were all guest topics, way too broad and weren’t actually “10 days”. TA’s were all a**holes and I asked for detailed feedback and it was waived off. Had to go through an appeal process for the whole course. Wildly unfair.
Dec 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Do your weekly lecture review and discussions, you'll be all good.
Apr 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Assignments weren't hard but the content was too broad. Bird course.
Nov 2020 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
11 posts and comments in 10 threads mention HIST 109, May 2015 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
easy online courses at uw 11 points, 15 comments
“i'm a math major and I was planning out my courses for the rest of my undergrad, and I need 2 easy online courses that I can take over a co-op. …”
u/imnotarianagrande: “hist105 or hist 109”
Winter 2022
Which History class to choose? 1 point, 2 comments
u/abxnezer: “Hey y'all, I'm currently enrolled in HIST 111 but it makes my schedule SUPER messy and I was wondering if anybody had any experience with HIST 109 since that's currently the other class that I'm thinking of enrolling in. Thanks in advance!”
Fall 2021
Interesting History Courses 5 points, 7 comments
“Are there any interesting history courses without any prerequisites offered in the Winter term? Thanks!”
u/3point14luong: “… Of the courses being offered in the coming Winter term, I can only personally comment on HIST 109. …”
Fall 2019
What’s an elective course that you found super enjoyable? 31 points, 41 comments
“It doesn’t have to be a bird course. Just any course you didn’t have to take but ended up liking it.”
u/SpecialNeedsCat: “HIST 109, ENGL 108P, and VCULT 100, they're not necessarily easy but I found all to be really enjoyable.”
Winter 2018
grade breakdown 2 points, 5 comments
u/58dm: “(preferably from people who've taken any of them super recently or currently are) What are the mark breakdowns for CS115, HIST109, AND HIST245? General opinions on those courses also appreciated! Thank you”
Fall 2017
PSA: Course selection has started 47 points, 45 comments
“Course selection is open from now until next Tuesday. For first years: this is NOT first come first serve. Take the time to look through and consider what you want to take. …”
u/Akinohana: “PHYS 234, PHYS 242, PHYS 263, HIST 109, STAT 241...”
Fall 2016
Good History Classes 3 points, 12 comments
“With pre-enrollment in full swing, I'm considering taking a history credit as an elective. Are there any that stand out that I should look out for? …”
u/lynxasaur: “… If you're open to class suggestions I'd highly suggest HIST 109.”
Fall 2015
I have to choose my first year courses as an undergrad (Math/CS). What would you recommend? 3 points, 24 comments
“Hi guys. I will be joining the university as an international student on Jan 3 to study Computer Science. I have to choose an English communication course and a non-math elective. …”
u/r0naa: “Choose the English elective you feel you need the most. EMLS courses are taught by pretty good profs. For your elective, I would recommend HIST109 if it is still offered.”
u/super-olive: “HIST109 sounds very interesting. However, I'm bad with world history. Does that matter at all? A friend of mine recommended to choose easy courses that will boost my average.”
Spring 2015
Opinions on Women's Studies? 10 points, 35 comments
“I am planning on taking WS in the fall term. Has anyone taken it before? I am a dude, I am wondering if this course is majority girls. Is this course easy? Are there any participation marks? …”
u/VassiliMikailovich: “If you want a bird course, take Econ 101 or something. WS is a glimpse into the minds of the insane.”
u/VassiliMikailovich: “… I took HIST109 and did great without much effort, but I'm pretty good at history. …”
What are some interesting courses that have low-level or no pre-reqs? 4 points, 6 comments
“Preferably something not too difficult, and not related to engineering.”
u/neutral-milk: “… I took HIST 109 as a blow off course but it ended up being very attendance based so I wouldn't recommend it. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
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