American Publics

Subject 131-705 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
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: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
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 David Charles Goodman

Contact

Dr David Goodman

d.goodman@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: The theme of this seminar is the history of public and civic life in the USA from the Revolution to the present. Particular attention will be given to the changing forms of public life and to the hopes and fears held about the impact of successive new media - print, radio and television, the internet - n the quality of public life. Americans have so often had a particular preoccuption with the quality of their civic an public life, and a fear that it was in decline, and these laments form one strand. The seminar also studies the history of challenging the boundaries of American public life and citizenship from the Revolution to the present - high temperature issues about who could vote, about segregation and immigration.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject should...
  • understand the social, ethical and cultural context of events in the history of the American public sphere, as evidenced by the contextualisation of judgments,
Assessment: A research essay 3500 words 65% (due late in semester) and a reflective essay 1500 words 35% (due in exam period )
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available at he beginning of the semester
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject should
  • be able to show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
  • be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;
  • develop an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: History
History

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