This unit of study examines the United States in the years in which Americans felt their society, culture, politics, and individual and national identities were taking new, ‘modern,’ forms. We will explore three themes:
- What should government do? What does government do? Tracing this theme involves exploring changing ideas about the role of government in the workings of the economy and the lives of citizens. What power should the government have and how should it use that power to regulate and provide for its citizens? What does the government do?
- Being different and being an American. Tracing this theme involves exploring the changing meaning of race, ethnicity, class and gender in American politics, culture and society. What differences divided Americans? How did different groups relate to each other? How did different groups struggle to gain equal treatment and justice, and how far did their struggles succeed? What did different groups have in common? What unity and national identity did they achieve at different times?
- The United States in the world. Tracing this theme involves exploring changing ideas and policies concerning the kind and level of involvement the United States should have in the world. How should the United States use its power? What were the interests and responsibilities of the United States? How did the role of the United States in the world affect life within the United States?
Unit of Study Learning Goals
LEARNING OBJECTIVES |
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES |
ASSESSMENT |
Develop a body of knowledge about the history of the United States since the Civil War, encompassing both dominant and alternative ideas, and the experiences of ordinary Americans as well as the powerful |
Research & Inquiry: Graduates will be able to acquire and evaluate new knowledge through independent research |
Exam |
Develop an understanding of the methods and evidence used to study history at the university level |
Research & Inquiry: Graduates will possess a firm grasp of the principles, practices and boundaries of their discipline
Ethical, Social & Professional Understanding: Graduates will be aware that knowledge is not value free
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Tutorial Participation
Tutorial Paper
Essay |
Formulate an answer to a historical question, and develop an argument in support of that interpretation |
Research & Inquiry: Graduates will be able to identify, define, investigate and solve problems, & think independently, analytically and creatively
Information Literacy: Graduates will use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information.
Personal & Intellectual Autonomy: Graduates will be able to work independently & respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts |
Essay
Exam |
Communicate knowledge in discussion and scholarly writing |
Communication: Graduates will possess a high standard of oral and written communication |
Tutorial Participation
Essay
Group Presentation |
Student Feedback: This unit is regulrly revised based on feedback collected from students. Responses to that feedback can be found on the History Department web site.
Required Readings: A course reader, available from the Copy Centre
Background Readings:
- Alan Brinkley, The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People.
- Bruce Levine, et al, Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's Economy, Politics, Culture, and Society (vol. 2).
Unit Timetable
Time |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
9 am |
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Tutorial
Quad Room S241 |
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|
10 am |
|
Lecture
Chemistry Lecture Theatre 3 |
Lecture
Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1 |
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|
11am |
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Tutorial
Teachers College 438 |
Tutorial
Badham 141 Tut Room 1 |
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|
12 pm |
|
|
Tutorial
Badham 141 Tut Room 1
|
|
|
1 pm |
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Tutorial
Ross St Tutorial Room
Tutorial
Badham 145 Tut Room 2 |
Tutorial
Education Seminar Room 323 |
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|
2 pm |
|
Tutorial
Ross St Tutorial Room
Tutorial
Edward Ford 308 |
Tutorial
Education Seminar Room 508 |
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|
3 pm |
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Tutorial
Teachers College 437 |
Tutorial
New Law Seminar 342
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|
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4 pm |
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Tutorial
Teachers College 440 |
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|
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Please try to attend the tutorial on your timetable. If you cannot attend that tutorial, you can go to one at another time, but you will be able to join another tutorial only if the tutor says that there is space. If there is not space, you will need to try another time.
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