Making Sense of America: U.S. Since 1945

Subject HIST10006 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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: total time commitment 96 hours
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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Barbara Keys

Contact

Ara Keys bkeys@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Understanding the United States today requires an understanding of the country’.s historical trajectory. By examining U.S. politics, culture, society and foreign policy since the end of World War II, we aim to understand how things came to be the way they are today. Topics include the pervasive impact of the Cold War. the civil rights, antiwar and women’.s liberation movements. the growth of presidential power. the rise of the religious right. the Clinton years. and 9-11 and the ‘.global war on terror.’.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • a basic understanding of key developments in U.S. history.
  • an understanding of important factors that have shaped the contemporary United States
Assessment:

A source analysis, 500 words 10% (due in first half of semester), a short document-based essay, 1500 words 30%)(due at mid-semester) and a research essay, 2000 words 50% (due at end of semester).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five days, no late assessment will be accepted. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Glen Jeansonne, A Time of Paradox: America from the Cold War to the Third Millennium, 1945-Present (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007) ISBN 0-7425-3379-4
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 contexts 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
Related Breadth Track(s): Economics in History
The United States
20th Century History

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