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Unit outline_

AMST3601: American Perspectives

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This capstone unit will present key texts in the shaping of an American intellectual tradition. It considers classic and contemporary debates in American society, and the way American Studies, as a field, deals with these long-standing arguments in innovative and challenging ways. Drawing perspectives from history, literature, politics and sociology, it prepares students to do sophisticated research work, to analyse complex cultural issues, and to employ the diverse methods of American Studies toward an in-depth understanding of the nation in a global context.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit United States Studies Centre
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in American Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Aaron Nyerges, aaron.nyerges@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research Essay
Students will present a capstone research paper at end of semester
40% Formal exam period 3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Online task Seminar Discussion Activity
Student post reading questions on discussion board.
20% Multiple weeks 3 times, throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3
Online task Draft Workshop
Students will present 1000 word draft of research essay for peer workshop
20% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Presentation Research Project Presentaion
Students present on their research project in final week.
20% Week 13 10 minute, 750 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4

Assessment summary

3 x 250wd seminar discussion activity (20%)

1 x 1000wd Research paper workshop draft (20%)

1 x 3500wd Research paper (40%)

1 x 750wd equiv presentation (20%)

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The Contemporary Scene, Part I Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 02 The Contemporary Scene, Part II Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Regional beginnings I Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Regional Beginnings II Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Problems of Political Tradition Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Problems of Culture and Self Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Problems of Race, Racism and Identity Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Problems of Gender, Sexuality and Feminism Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Draft Workshop Online class (2 hr) LO2
Week 10 Problems of Technology, Labour and Freedom Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 The Contemporary Scene, Part III Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Presentation Online class (2 hr) LO2

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

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. Apply knowledge from various disciplines - including History, Literature, Sociology, and Politics - to demonstrate an independent, ethical and in-depth analysis of American, society, culture or life.
  • LO2. Produce an original capstone research project, which utilises primary sources to make a sophisticated interpretive argument about an aspect of the United States.
  • LO3. Relate a detailed understanding of contemporary and historical topics in American Studies to political, social, moral, and workplace issues encountered in the wider world.
  • LO4. Illustrate the ability to present complex cultural problems and diverse cultural perspectives in seminar discussion, scholarly writing, and oral presentation.

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.

Following from previous iterations of the unit, the course has been substantively revised to take into account evolving student interests and concerns, particularly with present day politics and culture, as well as streamline the essay and evaluation process.

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.