Unit Outline

This unit examines the creation of the United States of America by focusing on two significant conflicts. We begin by studying the origins and outcomes of the eighteenth century American War of Independence - an event that was both a civil war within the British Empire and an American Revolution. We then study how tensions within the new republic, particularly over slavery, led to an American Civil War in the nineteenth century that had profound national and international significance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Demonstrate an understanding of key themes in the history of the United States of America.
2	Analyse historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the American past.
3	Construct evidence-based arguments and articulate them in written and oral form with greater ability and confidence.
4	Integrate concepts of historical understanding, including evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, empathy, significance, perspectives and contestability.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Student feedback has been very positive for this unit over several years, and there are only minor modifications for 2025.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Short written assignment	Week 6	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Research essay	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Tutorial participation	Week 13	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Take home exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Short written assignment

Task Description:

See MyLO for task description

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 6 (27/Mar/2025)

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Displays knowledge of the historical context and understands eighteenth-century language and concepts.	LO1, LO4
2	Reflects a critical engagement with the 1a and 1b tutorial readings on the American Rebellion	LO1, LO2
3	Explains a decision to either resist or submit to the authority of the British parliament	LO1, LO3, LO4
4	Cites arguments and quotations in the primary sources in tutorial 1b	LO2
5	A fluent written response	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Research essay

Task Description:

See MyLO for task description

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 12 (22/May/2025)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Present a valid and organised response to the essay question	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Critically analyse historical sources and issues related to the essay topic	LO1, LO2
3	Research historical sources relevant to the essay question	LO2
4	Reference sources using footnotes and bibliography	LO3
5	Communicate in writing that includes some short quotations from the period relevant to your essay topic	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial participation

Task Description:

See MyLO for task description

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Participate in discussion of the tutorial readings	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Take home exam

Task Description:

See MyLO for task description

Task Length:

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Present a valid and organised response to the exam question	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Use evidence from the relevant tutorial readings to support your analysis	LO2, LO3
3	Write with clarity and according to the exam instructions	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.