U.S. History to 1941: Claiming Freedom

Subject HIST20059 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: 8.5 hours per week: total time commitment 102 hours102
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/

Contact

David Goodman d.goodman@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

In its first 165 years the US grew from a disparate collection of east-coast colonies to a major world power. The subject examines American society through these years, exploring the intertwined themes of slavery, freedom and growth. The first part focuses on the consequences of the existence of slavery in a free society. The second part examines the dynamics and consequences of growth –. topics include the emergence of a market economy, the ‘.frontier’. and the fate of indigenous Americans during the decades of westward expansion, and expansion overseas at the end of the 19th century. The third part examines visions of and debates about the emergence of modern mass society and culture in the first four decades of the 20th century, and topics will include Prohibition, the Great Depression and New Deal, broadcasting, the segregated South, and immigration.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • understand the social, ethical and cultural context of events in US history as evidenced in through the contextualisation of judgments
Assessment: A research essay of 2500 words 60% (due mid-semester) and a review essay of 1500 words 40% (due during the examination period). Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
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.
Notes: Students who have successfully completed 131-079 or 671-389 'Slavery and Freedom' are not eligible to take this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: American Studies Major
History
History
History
History Major
Related Breadth Track(s): The United States

Download PDF version.