HISTORY 257 : Making Modern America 1865-1919

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A survey of the United States from the end of Reconstruction through the First World War that evaluates the role of ordinary people as well as influential figures. Themes include industrialisation; labour conflict and organisation; segregation; reform; literary and intellectual movements; popular culture; imperialism; politics and the state.

Course Overview

Can a nation become an industrial and international power and remain a democracy? This was the central question for a generation of Americans at the turn of the twentieth century as they faced the challenges of unprecedented wealth inequality, labor conflict, immigration, urbanization, cultural transformation, and empire. This course will examine the challenges of late-nineteenth century development and how Americans re-formed their nation in response to them. Together, we will seek to understand how the roots of the present crisis in the United States lay in period between 1865 and 1919.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points at Stage I in History and 30 points passed Restriction: HISTORY 357

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Acquire a basic understanding of the history of the United States from the late nineteenth century to the 1920s. (Capability 1.1)
  2. Demonstrate historical thinking, including an understanding of primary and secondary sources, causation and consequence, and historicist perspective. (Capability 1.2)
  3. Read effectively and critically. (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)
  4. Explain the tensions, limits, and contradictions in American democratic practice. (Capability 3.1)
  5. Compose verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, at a level where you can communicate knowledge clearly and succinctly. (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)
  6. Demonstrate honesty and integrity and to engage in independent, ethical decision-making and action. (Capability 5.1)
  7. Be able to exercise rights and fulfil responsibilities as informed, ethical, and engaged citizens contributing to sustainable social, economic, and natural environments. (Capability 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Tutorial 10% Individual Coursework
Quiz 5% Individual Coursework
Reacting to the Past game 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 25% Individual Coursework
Final Essay 40% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15 point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

During a typical teaching week there will be 2 hours of lectures, and 1 hours of tutorials. For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals to 34 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 114 hours across the entire semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments/exams, etc.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings (audio only) but be advised they are (a) not a substitute for lecture attendance and note-taking and (b) may be prone to technical failure. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events such as tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Required Reading/Texts:
HISTORY 257 Course Guide.

Recommended Reading:
Rebecca Edwards, New Spirits: Americans and the World, 1865-1905. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Nell Irvin Painter, Standing at Armageddon: The United States, 1877-1919. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

SET survey

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 17/03/2023 11:50 a.m.