HST656: Approaches to the American Past
45 credits (semester 1: 2009-10) 30 credits (semester 1: 2010-11)
Module Leader:
(2009-10), TBC (2010-11)
| Module Summary |
This is the core module for students studying for the MA in American History. The module will introduce you to the most important debates in modern historical scholarship, making you aware not only of key methodological and theoretical issues but also introducing you to the major developments in the historiography of the United States since the end of the nineteenth century.
The module is divided into two parts. In weeks 2-12 you will join either the core module in modern history (HST665: Modernity and Power: Individuals and the State in the Modern World), or the core module in early modern history (HST659 Early Modernities). These courses will strengthen your grasp of the conceptual and methodological challenges facing historians working in their respective periods. In addition, in weeks 2-6 you will study the ways in which the history of the United States has been written and interpreted since the emergence of the historical profession in the late nineteenth century.
| Teaching |
The module will be taught by fifteen, two hour classes. Students will be set preparatory reading in advance and will be expected to share their knowledge of historiographical developments, debate controversial topics and listen and respond to the views of others in a structured environment. Students will also be encouraged to meet with their supervisor to discuss the work they will write for assessment for this module.
A full programme giving short descriptions of the subject matter to be covered in each seminar will be available after Registration. The module is taught in Semester One. All students are expected to attend, and prepare in advance for each class. Unavoidable absences should be reported in advance to the Postgraduate Secretary.
| Part 1: Weeks 2-12: |
| Either HST659: Early Modernities or HST665: Modernity and its Crises: The Twentieth Century World) |
| Part 2: Weeks 2-6 Five seminars on the historiography of the United States as follows: |
| The New History |
| The Consensus School |
| The New Left |
| History from Below: Slaves and Women |
| The End of America or the End of History |
| Assessment |
Students will complete two written papers for this module, totalling 9,000 words.
- A 6,000-word paper on a topic in American history to be agreed between the student and the module tutor. Students are encouraged to engage with one or more of the concepts or themes explored in the course through a case-study or case-studies.
- A 3,000-word paper identifying a particular historiographical approach (evidenced through the work of an individual historian or school of historical writing or, alternatively, through the use of a particular type of source material such as oral history or film) delineating the methodological or epistemological problems it raises and suggesting how these might be addressed.
| Intended Learning Objectives |
By the end of the module, a candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- A more profound understanding of the development of American historiography in the twentieth century, leading to an enhanced awareness of the nature of historical knowledge.
- The ability to distinguish between and critically evaluate different schools of interpretation and historical debate about American history, attaining an awareness of current research issues beyond the published literature.
- Their ability to arrive at independent conclusions on salient issues of interpretation and source criticism.
- Their ability to elaborate and defend an intellectual position to other members of the seminar group, presenting complex scholarly arguments and historiographical debates succinctly and accurately.
- Their ability to engage in group discussions of interpretative issues.
- The ability to present their conclusions in a fluent written form, demonstrating a mastery of bibliographical materials (including electronic resources) referencing their sources appropriately.