Gender and sexuality, with a focus on Victoria and the sex trade
Description
The general definition of the word Historiography means the study of how historians write history. It most commonly refers to the state of the literature in particular subfields and topics of History.
In this assignment, you will be looking at “the state of the literature” about a particular topic in this course by comparing two journal articles or book chapters—one you’ve already read for the course, and one you have not. You will write an essay with a classic intro, body, and conclusion framework (as well as cover page, bibliography, and rigourous use of in-text citations). You are being tested on your ability to read, dissect, and independently compare, contrast and assess two different readings. Your paper will seek to answer such questions as: “How do these two articles tell different histories about the exact same subject?” Or even, “How do they tell similar stories about slightly different topics?”
We will strategize how to do this in weeks leading up to the due date. The goal here is not to make overly simplistic observations, or to excessively summarize the documents, but to think analytically about how the two articles treat the same or a similar topic.
You can choose from one (1) of the following four topics:
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Topic 1: BC, Land Policy and Confederation |
Reading from the course list: |
Additional reading: |
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Cole Harris, “The Native Land Policies of Governor James Douglas.” BC Studies, no. 174 (2012): 101-22. |
Robin Fisher, “Joseph Trutch and Indian Land Policy,” BC Studies, no. 12 (Winter 1971-72): 3-33. |
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Topic 2: The Anti-Asian Riots of 1907 |
Reading from the course list: |
Additional reading: |
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Julie Gilmour, “Interpreting Social Disorder: The Case of the 1907 Vancouver Riots,” International Journal 67, no. 2 (2012): 483-95. |
John Price, “’Orienting’ the Empire: Mackenzie King and the Aftermath of the 1907 Race Riots.” BC Studies, no. 156/157 (2007): 53-81. |
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Topic 3: Gender and sexuality, with a focus on Victoria and the sex trade |
Reading from the course list: |
Additional reading: |
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Jean Barman, “Aboriginal Women on the Streets of Victoria: Rethinking Transgressive Sexuality during the Colonial Encounter,” in Contact Zones: Aboriginal & Settler Women in Canada’s Colonial Past (eds. Katie Pickles and Myra Rutherdale), 205-227. Vancouver, UBC Press, 2005 |
Patrick A. Dunae, “Geographies of Sexual Commerce and the Production of Prostitutional Space: Victoria, British Columbia, 1860–1914.” Journal of the Canadian Historical Association 19, no. 1 (2008): 115-42. |
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Topic 4: Responses to World War One and Conscription |
Reading from the course list: |
Additional reading: |
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Paula Hastings, “Territorial Spoils, Transnational Black Resistance, and Canada’s Evolving Autonomy during the First World War.” Histoire Sociale. Social History 47, no. 94 (2014): 443-70. |
James W. St. G. Walker, “Race and Recruitment in World War I: Enlistment of Visible Minorities in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.” Canadian Historical Review 70, no. 1 (1989): 1-26. |
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