| Unit name | American Dreamers: Radicalism in the United States from 1776 to the Present |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HIST30131 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Costaguta |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Our Special Subjects give you the opportunity to work at an advanced level alongside a single academic and a specialist area of research. Intensively taught through seminars only, they are designed to provide you with handson experience of how knowledge is produced in the discipline of History.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Our Special Subjects involve the application of the full spectrum of core historical competencies within a narrower field of study. In this sense, they are designed to prepare you to undertake independent research for yourself
by showing you how practicing historians work with sources, historiographies, methodologies, and concepts within a particular specialism.
An overview of content
From the dream of abolitionists to end slavery to the fights for civil rights and racial equality of the 1960s; from the revolutionary plans to seize the Federal government of nineteenth century socialists to the restless efforts of women's and gay rights movements for gender equality during the 1970s and beyond, radicals have been a constant presence in U.S. history and politics. Adopting a chronological and thematic approach, this unit introduces students to the most important strands of American radicalism, including revolutionary republicanism; abolitionism; socialism, anarchism and communism; the New Left and counterculture; black nationalism; sexual liberation; indigenous movements and no-global movements. Using a wealth of primary sources (such as political pamphlets, flyers, letters, newspapers, photos, etc.) and secondary literature, this module asks students to reflect on the way in which American radicalism has contributed to change principles of citizenship, democracy and freedom in the United States.
How will you be different as a result of this unit?
Special Subject units will enhance your capacity to build arguments with primary sources, properly located within appropriate theories, concepts, methods, and historiographies.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HIST30131).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
