HIST 113Canadian Business History: Innovators and Entrepreneurs
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- History
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course examines the role of individuals in the growth of business in Canada. While there will be general examination of Canadian economic development, the principal focus will fall upon leading Canadian business persons and their interests and innovations. The relationship to the state of business, the place of education, and the impact of immigration are other topics that the course will consider.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3461 | 96 / 100 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3344 | 0 / 120 | MW 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1270 | 33 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
35% liked it72% easy10% useful
From 34 ratings and 9 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Unfortunately, lectures were extremely dry and taught with no enthusiasm. This made it hard to find motivation in learning the course material. Fortunately, the assessments were very clear and easy to do well on.
Jan 2025 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This class is fine, just boring. Catherine Briggs has a monotone voice, and I feel bad for skipping because only 10% of the people attend classes, but my time is better spent at home. All we talked about was rich business men who just exploited all of Canada's resources. We did have small group discussions with mandatory attendance but it was fine since everyone just wanted to get done quickly and finish the response. There were 3 essays which were fine to write but the TAs all have different marking styles, so make sure to compare with others in the class and tell the prof if something isn't right.
Apr 2025 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Partially required course for Arts & Business program. Discusses Canadian Business Origins through the partnership of entrepreneurs and business. Specific focus on Canada's development through the use of its wide array of resources. 2x Essays, Mid-Term & Final
Sep 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Please don't take this class if you're antsy about receiving assignments back consistently. A short, 3 page essay was due on October 8th and it still hasn't been handed back a month later. Skip the lectures, you can read off the slides yourself.
Nov 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Such a boring class I stoped going to the lectures 3 weeks in. She just reads off the slides covered in words. show up once every 3 weeks for a discussion mark and write 3 papers and a final paper. The grading is so confusing and they don't give you any feedback. Try to avoid this course if you can its incredibly boring.
Nov 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
19 posts and comments in 16 threads mention HIST 113, February 2016 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 2022
Has anyone else taken HIST 256 - Murders in Canadian History? 2 points, 1 comment
“Love true crime and think the course could be fascinating but couldn't find any reviews. Has anyone else taken the course? If yes, what was the workload like and how was Dr. Brigg's teaching style? …”
u/Deputy_Dan: “Briggs is chill, she was decent for HIST113, but ultimately I can only remember her Marxist analysis of colonialism at this point (it’s been three years)”
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/Deputy_Dan: “… HIST113: Canadian Business History: Innovators and Entrepreneurs This course really helps to explain the origins of Canada from a more economic level of analysis, frankly quite important to explaining our national history. …”
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 …”
which is easier: hist 113 or psci 231? 1 point, 1 comment
u/therealwhamen: “i was getting ready for my arbus course selections for this fall and there’s a choice between hist 113 and psci 231. i just wanted to know which one is easier and/or requires lesser effort? could i also possibly get some insight on how many essays/quizzes i’d need to submit? …”
u/notanazi420: “… A friend took HIST 113 and I believe she said it was boring but tolerable. …”
Winter 2021
Uni is a scam 490 points, 77 comments
“Seriously, Math 136 is now only marking 1-2 questions on 5 question assignments because “they didn’t hire enough TA’s to keep up with the demand”. …”
u/Carterlil21: “… In a second year business history course (hist113) we submitted two 15% midterms a month apart. We didn't get our feedback for the first essay until a week AFTER the second essay was due. …”
Fall 2020
Can someone send me the course syllabus for hist 113? Are all the assessments on learn quiz? Also, is it easier than psci 231 2 points, 1 comment
Can someone send me the course syllabus for HIST 113. Also, are all the testing on learn? Is it easier than psci 243? 1 point, 0 comments
Spring 2020
ARBUS Economics Course Progression 2 points, 3 comments
u/Deputy_Dan: “None of the ARBUS courses are prohibitively difficult. You have a course sequence to follow for those, don't you?”
u/Deputy_Dan: “… HIST113 (I took this one out of the multiple options) recommend this course, gives you a solid historical foundation for the history of business in Canada.”
Spring 2018
HIST 113, 243 OR PSCI 231 2 points, 3 comments
u/whatupguy225: “I have to take one of these next term. Any recommendations? Which one is the easiest etc.”
u/allbymyseeeeelf: “Hist 113 is trash”
For people in Arbus, who’ve made this decision, what do you recommend b/w HIST 113, HIST 243 and PSCI 231? 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2018
Honours Econ vs ARBUS Econ? 1 point, 3 comments
“PROS and CONS? Which is easier, better for co-op?”
u/Wasteee: “You can do honours Arbus Econ. ARBUS makes you take some business courses and I guess it looks better for employers. …”
u/Wasteee: “… For example, hist 113 and psci 231 are both Arbus courses and extremely easy. …”
Fall 2017
Make friends 15 points, 67 comments
“I've been wanting to get more socially involved and figured I might start here. I'm a first year girl in the ARBUS Co-Op program, living off-campus in Waterloo. …”
u/TheZarosian: “Do you feel like living off-campus as a first year is a drawback from residence for social life?”
u/emprasara: “Got required ARBUS 202 an 102, HIST 113, PSYCH 101, and ENGL 109. Planning to major in English. What about you?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
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