Race, Power, Money and the Making of North America 1607 - 1900
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| AMCS1001 | American and Canadian Studies | 1 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- AMCS1001
- School
- American and Canadian Studies
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module will provide a broad introduction to North American history from European colonization to the end of nineteenth century. This is seen as a `core' module, which will give a grounding for further study of American history.
Target Students
Only available to Year 1 SH and JH American and Canadian Studies students and Liberal Arts students.
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture per week for 11 weeks
- One 2-hour seminar per week for 11 weeks
The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.
Assessment
- 60% Coursework: Coursework (Historical essay) - 2,000 words
- 10% Participation: Seminar participation and engagement.
- 10% Portfolio 1: Short analysis c. 400 words
- 10% Portfolio 2: Short analysis c. 400 words.
- 10% Portfolio 3: Short analysis c. 400 words
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to: 1) introduce students to the history of North America from the colonial period to 1900; 2) develop students' understanding of the processes of economic, political and social change in these years; 3) introduce students to the main debates among historians on some of the key issues and episodes; 4) broaden the base of students' historical knowledge; 5) encourage students to develop an understanding of the broader international context in which American development took place. From their historical studies, students should enhance a range of intellectual and transferable skills, notably in the handling of evidence and the resolution of intellectual problems and disagreements.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding of:
• approaches to economic and political change in North America from its colonial origins to the beginning of the twentieth century
• the problems of race and gender in these years
• aspects of continuity and change in North American society during these years
• the major events of the period
• the nature of history as a discipline
Intellectual skills:
• thinking critically and imaginatively about the subject matter
• evaluating and analysing primary source material
• identifying and interpreting secondary sources about the subject matter
• evaluating different historical interpretations
• engaging with key problems relevant to economic, social and political change
Professional and transferable skills:
• sifting and synthesizing information from a range of sources
• understanding and critically evaluating online sources
• presenting reasoned arguments using professional conventions
• reflecting on and using feedback on written work
• the development of professional written communication skills
• increased confidence in professional written and oral communication
• managing and taking responsibility for one’s own time and learning