The World That Made Us: 1945 to Today

Subject 131-122 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 8 hours per week
Prerequisites: None
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 Richard Pennell

Contact

Richard Pennell

rpennell@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: An overview of the history of the world the last two generations have grown up in. The emphasis is on the world - this is not a history of Australia, but of the world beyond our shores. There are two great themes in this the period. The first is the threat and promise of nuclear power, both as a source of energy and a weapon that that underpinned the superpower rivalry of the cold war and was the background to the political independence of Africa and Asia and the economic restructuring of the world in Europe and East Asia. The second is the collapse of the superpower system in the 1980s, culminating with the abolition of the Soviet Union, and the power of popular opposition to authoritarian and tyrannical regimes, the soaring economic power of East Asia and the survival of the United States as the remaining superpower.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject should...
  • develop an ability to look at history in a critical and plural way, using both primary and secondary materials, and appreciate the existence of different approaches and perspectives.
  • develop a knowledge of the main event and forces that have shaped the world we live in
Assessment: Essay proposal 500 words 10% (due week 6), research essay 1500 words 40% (due week 8), exam 50% (during examination period). Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to be pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts: Daniel Brower, The World Since 1945, a Brief History (2nd ed) . Pearson
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject should
  • 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;
  • 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
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: History
History
History
History Major

Download PDF version.