American Modern: USA 1890-1990

Subject 131-080 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first year history.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Glenn Moore
Subject Overview:

The subject examines visions of and debates about the emergence of modern society and culture in the United States in the 20th century. We will cover events and issues such as Prohibition, the Great Depression, mass culture and broadcasting, the effect of the Cold War on postwar society, and the South and its relationship to modernity. In addition, we explore the changes wrought by the civil rights movement, black nationalism, the Vietnam war and the student protests of the 1960s. The readings will incorporate responses by white Americans, immigrants, African and Native Americans to mass society, political culture and social change. Students should complete the subject with a knowledge of some major issues in 20th century American history and an enhanced sense of the ways in which the emergence of modern society and understandings of it structured American society and culture.

Assessment: A research essay of 2500 words 60% (due mid-semester) and a review essay of 1500 words 40% (due during the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

  • show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

  • demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

Notes:

Formerly available as 131-257/357. Students who have completed 131-257 or 131-357 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Diploma in Arts (American Studies)
Diploma in Arts (History)
Graduate Certificate in Arts (American Studies)
Graduate Certificate in Arts (History)
Graduate Diploma in Arts (American Studies)
Graduate Diploma in Arts (History)

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