“Students will come away with a richer, nuanced understanding of what is happening around the world right now, and what is likely to happen in the years ahead.”
Dr. Michael Lanthier
Undergraduate Advisor
How did we get into this mess? HIST 390B: History of Now: News in Historical Perspective will highlight eight events or developments of global significance that have grabbed the headlines during the first half of 2025. Going beyond soundbites, simplistic explanations, and dramatic visuals, this course will place current events in historical perspective and shed light on their underlying causes.
Guest Lecturers and Topics
Each week, one of our expert faculty members from the Department of History will provide invaluable context and background to help students better understand the complexities of the issue being explored, from war in the Middle East to Indigenous reconciliation in Canada.
- The History of Fake News with Dr. Heidi Tworek
- Covering Palestine and Israel with Dr. Hicham Safieddine
- History of the Climate Crisis with Dr. Eagle Glassheim
- Museums and Repatriation with Dr. Bonnie Effros
- The History of Canada and US Relations with Dr. Tina Loo
- The Concept of Genocide with Dr. John Roosa
Scheduling Info
- Instructor: Dr. Michael Lanthier
- Term 1
- Schedule: Tuesdays, 3:30 pm to 5 pm + hybrid learning
- Course Description: Learn about the biggest news stories of 2025. History of Now invites you to slow down, zoom out and ask: how did we get here? Each week, a different History professor takes you behind the headlines — wars, elections, climate disasters, cultural flashpoints — to uncover the deeper story. What can the past teach us about the present and the choices we’re facing now?
