This course is designed to expose students to some of the most significant works of American social and cultural analysis since 1900. The major organising theme of the course concerns changing conceptions of community made necessary by two sets of phenomena. The first were the great intellectual and social 'revolutions' of the age, including Darwinism, industrialisation and consumerism. The second influence came from a new conception of society itself, which stressed the competing, and often divergent, interests and concerns of various ethnic, racial, gender and regional groups. These phenomena presented two interrelated problems to many American intellectuals after 1900: first, to redefine the individual's citizenship and sovereignty within an increasingly organised society, and secondly to recreate a sense of community within a new context of perceived social diversity.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
After successful completion of this course, students should:
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the key aspects of social thought in the United States between 1865 and 1980;
- Have an appreciation of developments in economic, social and racial thought through their readings of the key primary and secondary sources relating to the subject matter of the course;
- Continue to develop strong research, writing and analytical skills
- Be able to critically reflect upon the insights provided by combining knowledge of various movements in social thought into a coherent account of some key developments in U.S. social thought,
- Understand and demonstrate the significance of the period for the development of the modern United States.
Indicative Assessment
One 3,000 word essay (50%), tutorial participation (10%) and a final examination (40%).
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
One 90 minute lecture and one tutorial per week.
Lectures will be streamed.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Hollinger, D and Capper, C (eds), The American Intellectual Tradition, 2nd edn, vol. III, Oxford University Press, 1993.
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
Units | EFTSL |
---|---|
6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
Year | Fee |
---|---|
2016 | $2718 |
- International fee paying students
Year | Fee |
---|---|
2016 | $3876 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.