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Unit outline_

HSTY3804: American History

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

American history is as contested as contemporary American culture and politics. This seminar will explore a key theme or debate drawn from more than four centuries of American history. In a setting that may be local or regional, inward- or outward-looking, you will develop advanced research skills to investigate critical relationships between the past and the present.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator James Curran, james.b.curran@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Deirdre O'Connell, deirdre.oconnell@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
3500wd essay
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2025 at 23:59
3500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Participation
n/a
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Short Essay 1
Source Analysis
15% Week 02
Due date: 09 Mar 2025 at 23:59
1000 word
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Short Essay 2
Source analysis
15% Week 07
Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59
1000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Small continuous assessment Essay Proposal
500 words
10% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2025 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

Criteria for Assessment:

  • the depth and extent of primary and secondary research.
  • the viability and originality of the project.
  • the quality of the argument.
  • the logic of structure.
  • the clarity of expression.
  • full and correct referencing.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Seminar introduction: 'This Land' brings together environmental, economic and intellectual history to examine relationships between the soil, water, air, plants, microbes, animals, and people. It explores systems of property formation, plantation agriculture, food production, resource extraction, science, governance, and the shifting geo-political borders that have defined the United States. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 02 The Columbus Exchange: Transplanting people, animals, and plants Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Enclosing the Indigenous Commons and Property Formation. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 The Plantation and the Plantationocene. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Rethinking the Industrial Revolution: Plants, Soil and Labour on the Commodity Frontier. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Relationality: Humans, Animals, and the West Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Civilization and the Wilderness: Industrial cities, Dismal swamps and Pacific Island Paradises Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Reading Week and Zoom Essay Clinic Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Land reclaimed and abandoned,1900-1930 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 The Contours of a Modern City, post-WW2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Creating Post-War Abundance: Population growth, agribusiness, and high-yield crops Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Environmental law, regulation and justice, 1960-1975 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Fast Fashion and Fast Food Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

see Canvas Page

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

see Canvas Page

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate expert knowledge of period, place or culture in American history
  • LO2. Demonstrate expert understanding of a variety of approaches to interpreting American history, and skilfully employ and manipulate such approaches in their own work
  • LO3. Skilfully analyse and interpret both primary evidence and secondary literature
  • LO4. Work both independently and collaboratively to develop and refine historical understanding and awareness
  • LO5. Demonstrate capacity to integrate Indigenous and non-Western perspectives on the past and understand how axes of inequality (such as gender and racial inequalities) have been historically constructed
  • LO6. Demonstrate the skills needed to construct an evidence-based argument or narrative in written, oral, visual, or digital form
  • LO7. Demonstrate sophisticated information and digital literacy in research

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes have been made to the readings, the wording of assignments, and the contextual background offered, in response to student feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.