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US and the World: Rise of a Superpower (HIST30065)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the relationship between the United States and the world from the Spanish-American War in 1898 to September 11, 2001. It explores how the United States went from being a third-rate global power with a small military that was notionally wedded to non-interventionism and isolationism at the turn of the twentieth century to being a global superpower with vast military, economic, and cultural reach by the century’s end. Throughout the course we consider whether the United States should be considered an “empire” by examining different facets of American power, including politics, jazz, high culture, Hollywood, consumerism, capitalism, technology, media, sport, and militarism. We cover key events including colonisation and Native dispossession; how the United States was shaped by war from the world wars to Vietnam; the Cold War; CIA interventions in Latin America and the Middle East; economic expansionism; immigration and nativism.
The course emphasises the wide range of people that have influenced US relations with the world from presidents and diplomats to bankers and artists as well as the role of ordinary people including immigrants, activists, and radicals in exile have played. In accounting for the rise of a global superpower, we also trace how US engagement with the world has shaped American vulnerabilities, both real and perceived.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Gain a general knowledge of the principal figures and significant events and developments in US foreign relations
- Gain familiarity with the major historiographical debates concerning U.S. foreign relations and with major interpretive perspectives and approaches to the subject
- Develop skills in locating and analysing primary and secondary sources in constructing and evaluating historical arguments
- Develop research skills using printed and electronic sources, both primary and secondary, in preparing a substantial research essay
- Develop research skills using printed and electronic sources, both primary and secondary, in preparing a substantial research essay
- Develop skills in clear and persuasive written expression and argumentation
- Develop skills of critical thinking and oral expression and argumentation through group discussion.
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
HIST20043
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A research essay
| Mid to late semester | 60% |
A reflective essay
| During the examination period | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Patrick McGrath Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 29 hours: 12 x 1.5 hour lectures and 11 x 1 hour tutorials Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major History - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 19 March 2024