Faculty of Arts American studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Prerequisites
2. Requirements for a major
    2.1. American studies subjects
3. Combined honours entry
4. Combined honours requirements
5. For more information
Subject Lists
    Fourth year subjects

Convener: Dr David Goodman (History)

The American studies program is coordinated by the Department of History, one of the leading history departments in Australia. The importance of the United States in the contemporary world and the richness and diversity of American scholarship make American studies a stimulating and practical choice for many students. The program provides students with an interdisciplinary perspective on American society, culture, history and politics. Students have the opportunity to enrich their academic experience by studying on location in Boston and New York with the popular subject 131-018 Searching for the American Dream. Students of American studies are in an excellent position to explore a variety of career pathways that will draw on the analytical and research knowledge gained in American studies. Students interested in expanding their interests and knowledge in this area are provided with an articulated structure of higher degree options at Melbourne.

American studies focuses on the historical and contemporary frameworks within which American politics, society and culture has developed. American studies subjects are offered by the departments of history, English, art history, cinema studies, political science and the Australian Centre.

1. Prerequisites

The American studies program commences in second year. The general prerequisite for entry is the completion of 50 points of first year from any area of study within the Faculty of Arts.

Please note that you should choose your first year subjects carefully to ensure that you have the appropriate prerequisites for the areas of study that offer the subjects within the program.

2. Requirements for a major

A major in American studies usually consists of nine 12.5 point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

• two first year subjects in any area of study (25 points) and;

• seven second/third year subjects (87.5 points) which must include:

  • 131-145 Contemporary American Society & Culture the program's compulsory subject offered in the History Department and;

  • six subjects from the list of American studies subjects below.

2.1. American studies subjects

The following subjects are part of the American studies program. Students must consult the relevant area of study entries in this Handbook to make sure that they meet the prerequisites, if any, for these subjects.

The following subjects can be taken at fourth year as part of combined honours in American studies.

3. Combined honours entry

Currently, there is no pure honours program in American studies. This means that students must combine fourth year honours in American studies with another area of study.

The prerequisites for entry to combined honours in American studies are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA;

• completion of a major in American studies;

• an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third year subjects within the major and;

• admission to honours in another area of study within the Faculty of Arts.

Entry to fourth year honours must be approved by the convenor of American studies and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.

4. Combined honours requirements

Students undertaking combined honours in American studies and another area of study must complete:

• 131-538 American Studies Thesis or 131-537 American Studies Thesis (MYE) for students commencing in Semester 2 and;

• 131-458 American Nation, the program's compulsory honours subject (12.5 points) and;

• one honours subject in American studies from the list above (12.5 points) and;

• three honours subjects in the combined area of study (37.5 points).

or

• an honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points) and;

• two honours subjects in the combined area of study (25 points) and;

• 131-458 American Nation, the program's compulsory honours subject (12.5 points) and;

• two honours subjects from the list above (25 points).

5. For more information

Dr David Goodman
Department of History
Third Floor, John Medley Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5963
Email: d.goodman@history.unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.history.unimelb.edu.au

Fourth year subjects

131-538 American Studies Thesis
131-537 American Studies Thesis (MYE)
131-458 American Nation

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