Module Identifier | GG26010 | ||
Module Title | THE AMERICAS | ||
Academic Year | 2000/2001 | ||
Co-ordinator | Dr Deborah Dixon | ||
Semester | Semester 2 | ||
Other staff | Dr Luke Desforges, Dr Tim Cresswell | ||
Course delivery | Lecture | 18 Hours 12 x 2 hours | |
Seminars / Tutorials | 6 Hours | ||
Assessment | Exam | 2 Hours A seen 2 hour examination - answer two from four questions. | 100% |
Supplementary examination | 2 Hours Resit examination in same format. | 100% |
Brief description
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the varied social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the Americas. Focusing on several key themes, such as colonization and independence, nation building and modernization, the course will emphasize how and why diverse forms of government have attempted to 'shape' New World social formations, as well as the aims and ideals of select groups who have worked to produce alternate visions of society. In-depth case studies ranging from the making of the American West to the Cuban revolution, and from the civil rights movement to the rise of Aryan patriot groups will be used to draw out these themes. Students will read both theoretical works and empirical studies of particular peoples and places, and will explore how people and place have been represented in maps as well as diverse written texts. Themes:
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the varied social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the Americas. Focusing on several key themes, such as colonization and independence, nation building and modernization, the course will emphasize how and why diverse forms of government have attempted to 'shape' New World social formations, as well as the aims and ideals of select groups who have worked to produce alternate visions of society. In-depth case studies ranging from the making of the American West to the Cuban revolution, and from the civil rights movement to the rise of Aryan patriot groups will be used to draw out these themes.
Module objectives / Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will have gained an appreciation of:
Students will be able to:
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Cronon, W., Miles, G. and Gitlin, J. (eds). (1992)
Under an Open Sky: Rethinking America's Western Past.. Norton
Jackson, J.B.. (1994)
A Sense of Place, A Sense of Time.. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Kay, C.. (1989)
Latin American Theories of Development and Underdevelopment.. London: Routledge.
Nelson Limerick, P.. (1987)
The Legacy of Conquest.. Norton.
Radcliffe, S.. (1993)
Viva: Women and popular Protest in Latin America.. London: Routledge.