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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Modern America, 1830-1972
Module Code HY326
School 68
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: James Kelly
Semester 2: James Kelly
Autumn: James Kelly
Module TeachersJames Kelly
Grania Shanahan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

America from Civil War to Super Power, 1830-1972

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the main phases and trends in the political, economic and social history of the United States
2. Discriminate between minor and major causative factors and consequences in analysing historical phenomena
3. Assess critically, and confidently to evaluate the merits of contrasting historical interpretations and perspectives,
4. Pursue independent, self-directed inquiry at an advanced level
5. Engage critically with historical data (both primary and secondary) and, demonstrate, through their use, the capacity to present a prepare an essay at an advanced level in American History



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture30Attendance in class and seminar preparation
Fieldwork20Assignment: reading and writing
Independent Study65Reading, note taking etc.
Independent Study10Exam preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
This course provides students with an opportunity both to contextualise and to examine closely how, having experienced the crisis of Civil War, 1860-65, the United States overcame this challenge to its very survival, to embark in the later nineteenth century on a phase of physical, economic and demographic growth that had transformed it into the world’s largest economy by the beginning of the twentieth century. By combining a focus on key domestic developments, and its gradual embrace of an active foreign policy, the course traces the assumption by the United States of the leadership of the democratic world and of great power status in the second half of the twentieth century. Grounded on the key historical concept of change over time, this courses traces the evolution of a modern nation, and examines the themes and issues crucial to an understanding both of the history and present day role in the world of the United States; these include manifest destiny; states’ rights; slavery; civil war; comparative economic development; reconstruction; race relations; expansion; violence; immigration; protest; progressivism; the emergence of a modern consumerist society; the principles and practice of modern foreign policy; economic growth and economic crisis; the emergence of a superpower; the Cold War and Civil rights. The course is located in a broad national and international historiography.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayStudents will write an interpretative essay of c. 3000 words from a list that will be provided33%As required
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    34722, In Class/Online, 0, A detailed reading list will be provided at the commencement of the course,
    Programme or List of Programmes
    BAJHBachelor of Arts (BAJH)
    BAJHIBachelor of Arts (BAJHI)
    BAJLBachelor of Arts (BAJL)
    BAJLIBachelor of Arts (BAJLI)
    BAJLNBachelor of Arts (BAJLN) - Intra Law
    BAJPBachelor of Arts (BAJP)
    BAJPIBachelor of Arts (BAJPI)
    BAJPNBachelor of Arts (BAJPN) - Intra P
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