HIST 200History and Film
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- History
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to issues in modern cultural history through the study of selected narratives and documentary films with supplementary reading, lectures, and discussions. This course helps students to place films in historical context by teaching them how to analyze films like a historian and understand the historical significance of films. Assigned work may include essays, midterms, a final exam, and online or in-person discussion elements. Students will be able to develop research abilities, visual literacy, and writing skills through analytical film responses and other written assignments. Students will also be better able to determine the historical accuracy of films, and identify how cinema relates to cultural, social, and political discourses and debates.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 3740 | 115 / 120 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
57% liked it75% easy12% useful
From 42 ratings and 16 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I loved this class. Take it if you like film. Not a bird course tho, very content heavy and has 3 6 page essays with the final being roughly 12 pages.
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course has an OK workload (2 essays in the year with discussion posts, and the final exam is writing 2 more essays), but I would NOT RECOMMEND as a bird course. The marking was done by the TA's, but I would get one correction and then 17% off the paper. Maybe if you like writing this course is for you. However, I was hoping to help my GPA, but I just wasted my time because I have not received anything over an 85% in this course. The concept is cool tho
Dec 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
A nice TA really helps you do well. Thankfully my TA was really nice and often gave me full marks for my film reviews and connections. The paper was pretty easy as long as you understand the film and book. Overall an interesting course if you like film and history.
May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Didn't like this course as much as I thought I would. Marking was done by the TAs, and mine was super accommodating when I got sick in the middle of the term!
May 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Easy if you do the discussions and assignments ahead of time. Don't miss any assignments or your grade will automatically go down a letter grade. The content was very history-oriented, however, the assignments were based on themes that were not emphasized.
Nov 2020 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
35 posts and comments in 30 threads mention HIST 200, October 2011 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.
Fall 2023
Bird Courses 16 points, 16 comments
“What are some of the easiest online bird courses out there? Looking for something to take while on co-op”
u/udoubleblue: “Hist 200 - history and film was the easiest class I ever took online”
Winter 2022
Is there anybody in HIST 200 who doesn't have all their marks on LEARN at this point? 0 points, 3 comments
Most liked and least liked courses in Winter 2022? 6 points, 7 comments
“So exams are almost over, and it's reflection time. Did you take any courses that you especially liked or disliked? Why?”
u/Mysterious_Glass_798: “… Really great educator Least liked: HIST 200: The only plus is that it got me watching some “classics” that I would never have watched if it weren’t for the course. …”
u/CommanderSean12: “I'm taking HIST 200 right now and agree, I hope they get marks in by the time grades come out on quest lmfao I think the last time the prof had any communication was in February or something, I remember asking a couple questions on the discussion board and never got a response.”
Recommendations for 200 level online bird courses for this summer? 3 points, 5 comments
“I just need to fill in a 200 level requirement while on Co-op :/”
u/Mysterious_Glass_798: “HIST 200 was pretty bird I thought, but to be honest it wasn’t that enjoyable and it felt like I was wasting my money on the course. It’s fully online and all that the professor “teaching” the course seemed to do was upload the lectures that were recorded by the last prof. …”
Watch a short film made by UW Engineers 16 points, 4 comments
“For the past 2 years now me and the crew have been working very hard on our second short film. We had our official premiere at Princess Cinemas last Sunday and are excited to share it for free with …”
u/fabulizer: “any film related courses you recommend (maybe you took some as electives)?”
u/NegotiationAncient77: “… HIST 200 (History through film) is well-regarded as one of the birdiest courses at UW and it's lots of fun too. …”
Fall 2021
Bird courses 4 points, 4 comments
“Any bird course recommendations? I’ve already taken clas104”
[deleted]: “HIST 200”
Spring 2021
[deleted by user] 1 point, 12 comments
u/Deputy_Dan: “Which ones are you thinking? (Look at my flair 😉)”
u/Deputy_Dan: “… I (and HIST 111, part 2) HIST 113: Canadian Business History: Innovators and Entrepreneurs HIST 200: History and Film (great way to learn history, easy grade, can find torrents easily online) HIST 254: Canada Since 1867: A New Nation (a bit more difficult but establishes …”
Bird courses for Spring term 0 points, 7 comments
u/CamtheMAN7: “… I am currently enrolled in HIST 200 - History and Film, it seems easy but there is a semi-mandatory aspect of weekly zoom meetings which I am not particularly excited about. Does anyone have any other recommendations for bird courses for this term??? …”
Winter 2020
HIST 200 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2019
Do I need the HIST 200 Textbook? 3 points, 2 comments
u/Reninz: “I'm taking it online right now, wondering if I need the textbook, or if the slides will be enough to read through.”
Spring 2018
CLAS 201 and HIST 200 4 points, 3 comments
u/sdser: “How are these two courses for electives? Difficulty level?”
u/k9env: “Hist 200 was easy but I fucking hated the course. …”
Winter 2018
HIST 200 0 points, 1 comment
u/jheezjheezloo: “Taking HIST 200 online with Schweitzer this semester. Do I have to buy the movies? Also, is the textbook really required? If someone has links to the movies, mind dming them to me? Thanks.”
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
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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