131-145 USA Today: Society, Culture, Identity

This subject is recommended for students wishing to complete a major in American studies.

This subject aims to give students an awareness of the trajectory of present-day debates about the United States by examining important aspects of North America in the post-war period, and offering historical, cultural and political analysis of how things came to be the way they are. Stories prominent in the American news media in recent years have included the 'war on terror', a presidential indiscretion, and tragic high school shootings. Editorials debate the death penalty, illegal immigrants, and whether or not national ideologies of democracy and liberty are translated into true racial and economic equality. This subject examines United States society and culture since the 1960s. It looks behind the headlines, and analyses the people and events that made them. Utilising historical scholarship, television documentaries and examples of American popular culture, we explore the attitudes of the American people to the world, diversity, gender issues, social inequalities and government. Students should gain a critical and interpretative understanding of the state of the American nation today and in the recent past, and have acquired skills and strategies for research on the contemporary United States.

• 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;

• 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;

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

A written research essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid semester), reflective exercise 2000 words 40% (end of semester) and tutorial participation 10%.