Australia and America

Subject AUST20001 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, 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

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture per week and a 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks.
Total Time Commitment: 8.5 hours per week: Total time commitment 102 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 Graham Willett

Contact

Dr Fay Anderson

faa@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

How do we understand contemporary Australia and America? What are the similarities and differences? This subject compares historical and cultural developments in the United States and Australia. In tracing the similarities and differences in the experiences of these two nations, themes to be addressed will include: frontier histories and the rights of Indigenous people, the media, crime and punishment, political leadership, issues of civil rights, gender, immigration and its resulting social and political consequences, war and society, foreign policy and the ramifications of terrorism. The subject will also investigate the ways Australians and Americans have viewed each other's societies, and the cultural and political ties between the two countries.
Objectives:

Students who have successfully completed this subject should have the ability to:

  • explain some of the key themes and issues that have shaped societies in the United States and Australia
  • comprehend the cultural and economic influence of the United States on Australia in the twentieth century
  • discuss factors that have created similarities in Australian and American history and society, as well as differences
  • demonstrate familiarity with the practice of comparative and transnational history
  • compare and contrast the key issues facing each of these societies today
Assessment:

Semester 1: An essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid-semester), a research essay of 2000 words 50% (due during the examination period) and a 500 word presentation 10% (during 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 working days, no late assessment will be marked. 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.
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:
  • Time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment
  • Research: through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research
  • Critical thinking and analysis: through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument
  • Thinking in theoretical terms: through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences
  • Understanding of social, ethical and cultural context: through the contextualisation of judgments, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument
Links to further information: http://australian-centre.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: American Studies Major
Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Australian Studies Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Australia and the World
The United States

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