131-458 American Nation

This is an advanced seminar.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in history, or admission to fourth year combined honours in American studies.

This subject critically considers aspects of American nation and identity through history. Students will explore the ways in which different kinds of Americans have represented themselves as belonging to (or not) or representing the American nation. Each year the subject will focus on two or three moments in US history when the content and meaning of American nationalism was under close scrutiny and contestation. Students should complete the course having encountered some classic sites of American national representation, and having some familiarity with recent scholarship on them.

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A research essay of 3500 words 60% (due mid-semester) and a review essay of 1500 words 40% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.