Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
The United States is a nation born of revolutionary struggle against an imperial power, yet its core concept of human emancipation was founded upon the enslavement of Africans and the expropriation of native people's lands. This unit examines these deep, shifting and persistence contradictions, from the US–Mexico War to the present day. It is a social and cultural history of the nation and its diverse peoples, with special emphasis on the interaction of everyday life, high politics and evolving political economies. Students gain specific knowledge of American history by analysing its social movements, political transformations, foreign policies and the effects of economic change. At the same time, they gain an understanding of basic issues in the historiography of the United States.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face Not available in 2025 Online Online timetabled Not available in 2025 Albany Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 option in the History major sequence
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an ability to assess key concepts and debates in US historiography, serving as an example of broader historical practice; (2) identify and evaluate the historiographical problems posed by the historical interpretation of imperial America; (3) demonstrate detailed knowledge of the major events and key political and cultural movements in United States history from 1845 to present; (4) locate appropriate sources for a research essay including textual, visual and aural primary source materials; and (5) present arguments in both written and oral form using the conventions of the historical discipline.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) an annotated bibliography; and (3) a research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Ethan Blue
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- 12 points of Level 1 units
- Incompatibility
- HIST2240 Cowboy Colonialism: the American West.
HIST2275 The USA from Civil War to Superpower.
HIST2277 The USA since 1945
- Contact hours
- Lecture x 1 hr per week
Workshop x 2 hrs per week (up to 3 hrs per week)
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.