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HI357E: THE AMERICAN FRONTIER (2023-2024)

Last modified: 01 Aug 2023 11:46


Course Overview

This course considers the significance of the frontier as a concept and a reality in the historical development of the United States from 1763 until the “closing” of the frontier in 1890. Additionally, the course aims to consider the impact of American expansion across North America on the indigenous peoples of the continent and to consider the impact of that expansion on American culture and society. Among the issues to be considered: the contribution of the frontier to American democracy; the connection between the frontier past and violence in America

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Bradford Bow

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • HI307E The American Frontier (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Week 1. Introduction: Fredrick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis

Week 2. Settling the Frontier in Colonial America

Week 3. Revolutionary Challenge on the Frontier

Week 4. Expeditions of Discovery in the Early Republic

Week 5. Manifest Destiny

Week 6. The Gold Rush & Mining Frontier

Week 7. Civil War & Frontier Violence

Week 8. Cowboys & Farmers

Week 9. Transcontinental Railroad & Chinese Immigration

Week 10. The Last Indian Wars

Week 11. The West as an American Melting Pot

Week 12. Revisions


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Source Analysis (1,500 words)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandRecognise the influence of geographical, national and social contexts on the development of the American frontier.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the ways in which the concept of Frontier affected American identities
ProceduralAnalyseBe able to analyse primary source texts, situating them in terms of context, genre and argument, as well as engage with the American western historiography.
ProceduralEvaluateBe aware of the complex relationships among commerce, religion, politics, science and ideas that shaped the historical perception of the American frontier.

Research Presentation (Presentation outline-500 words)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandRecognise the influence of geographical, national and social contexts on the development of the American frontier.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the ways in which the concept of Frontier affected American identities
ProceduralAnalyseBe able to analyse primary source texts, situating them in terms of context, genre and argument, as well as engage with the American western historiography.
ProceduralEvaluateBe aware of the complex relationships among commerce, religion, politics, science and ideas that shaped the historical perception of the American frontier.

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandRecognise the influence of geographical, national and social contexts on the development of the American frontier.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the ways in which the concept of Frontier affected American identities
ProceduralAnalyseBe able to analyse primary source texts, situating them in terms of context, genre and argument, as well as engage with the American western historiography.
ProceduralEvaluateBe aware of the complex relationships among commerce, religion, politics, science and ideas that shaped the historical perception of the American frontier.

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandRecognise the influence of geographical, national and social contexts on the development of the American frontier.
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the ways in which the concept of Frontier affected American identities
ProceduralAnalyseBe able to analyse primary source texts, situating them in terms of context, genre and argument, as well as engage with the American western historiography.
ProceduralEvaluateBe aware of the complex relationships among commerce, religion, politics, science and ideas that shaped the historical perception of the American frontier.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandHave an understanding of the ways in which the concept of Frontier affected American identities
FactualUnderstandRecognise the influence of geographical, national and social contexts on the development of the American frontier.
ProceduralEvaluateBe aware of the complex relationships among commerce, religion, politics, science and ideas that shaped the historical perception of the American frontier.
ProceduralAnalyseBe able to analyse primary source texts, situating them in terms of context, genre and argument, as well as engage with the American western historiography.

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