131-080 American Modern: USA 1890-1990

Formerly available as 131-257/357. Students who have completed 131-257 or 131-357 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 12.5 points of first year history.

The subject examines visions of and debates about the emergence of modern society and culture in the United States in the 20th century. We will cover events and issues such as Prohibition, the Great Depression, mass culture and broadcasting, the effect of the Cold War on postwar society, and the South and its relationship to modernity. In addition, we explore the changes wrought by the civil rights movement, black nationalism, the Vietnam war and the student protests of the 1960s. The readings will incorporate responses by white Americans, immigrants, African and Native Americans to mass society, political culture and social change. Students should complete the subject with a knowledge of some major issues in 20th century American history and an enhanced sense of the ways in which the emergence of modern society and understandings of it structured American society and culture.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A research essay of 2500 words 60% (due mid-semester) and a review essay of 1500 words 40% (due during the examination period).