Faculty of Arts American Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Prerequisites
3. Diploma in Arts (American Studies)
4. Requirements for a major
    4.1. American studies subjects
5. Combined honours entry
6. Combined honours requirements
7. For more information
Subject Lists
    Fourth-year subjects

Convener: Dr David Goodman (School of Historical Studies)

The American Studies program is coordinated by the School of Historical Studies, home of one of the leading history programs 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 within the disciplines of history, English, art history, cinema studies, political science and the Australian Centre.

1. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. 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.

3. Diploma in Arts (American Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (American Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree. Students must complete the recommended first year subject 131-145 USA Today: Society, Culture, Identity and 87.5 points of second/third year American studies subjects below. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year subjects from the list below.

4. Requirements for a major

A major in American studies usually consists of eight 12.5 point subjects, totalling 100 points. It comprises:

• one first-year subject in any area of study (12.5 points); and

• a minimum of five second/third-year subjects (62.5 points) from the list of core subjects; and

• the remainder from the list of core or optional subjects.

The first-year 131-145 USA Today: Society, Culture, Identity is recommended for students intending to take American studies at second and third year.

4.1. 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.

Other subjects with significant American content taught within the Faculty of Arts may be taken with prior approval of the Course Coordinator and the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

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

The following subjects contain significant American content. They may be taken as part of the combined honours program in American studies on the condition that:

a) students identify themselves to the coordinator of the unit as American studies honours students; and

b) students undertake to write their major piece of assessment for the subject on American topics.

5. 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 discipline.

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 program within the Faculty of Arts.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

6. Combined honours requirements

Students undertaking combined honours in American studies and another discipline must complete:

• 131-537 American Studies Thesis; and

• two honours subject in American studies from the list above (25 points); and

• three honours subjects in the combining discipline (37.5 points).

or

• an honours thesis in the combining discipline (37.5 points); and

• two honours subjects in the combining discipline (25 points); and

• three honours subjects from the list above (37.5 points).

7. For more information

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

Fourth-year subjects

131-537 American Studies Thesis
131-458 American Nation

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