ENG4542 – Research Seminar in American Social History

Course content

American Social history is essentially the history or ordinary people and ordinary lives. It includes many subfields, such as gender, race, religion, education, ethnicity, family, sexuality, popular culture and others. Studying the intersections between subfields can enlighten us as to what it means to be American with competing identities, and how ordinary people create, negotiate, and battle over such cultural boundaries. It is a vibrantly interdisciplinary field which uses a wide variety of research methods and techniques.

This course will investigate a particular research question within American Social history. We will read competing interpretations of that problem and engage in practical research using some of the techniques available to social historians.

 

Semester topic Autumn 2024: "Americans Abroad: Immigrants/Expats and cultural sharing"

The United States, as a nation of immigrants, is typically portrayed as a dream destination for the world. Sometimes, migration studies refer to those who fail in achieving their dreams and return home. Seldom is there a discussion of Americans who leave. Other nationalities and cultures are referred to as migrants. This is so ingrained that Americans who migrate outside of the USA often use different terminology to distinguish between those who come to the USA and their own choices to leave. Those who leave are referred to as: Americans Abroad, Expats or expatriates, or returned immigrants.

This course will focus on Americans and American culture as they migrate outside of the United States. Readings will include both a broader set of destinations and a special emphasis on Americans and American Culture in Norway.

Themes can include: American immigrants and expats in Norway, American organizations in Norway, Adoption of American products, films, sports and traditions in Norway, the development of American Studies in Norway and Scandinavia, Major figures in this development, and cultural adaptation.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you:

• will gain several skills necessary to your coming thesis work and your future professional life.
• can use one or more research methods typical of social history (for example: use of archival documents, oral interviews, surveys, film analysis, or, if there is interest, quantitative analysis).
• will have in-depth knowledge of a particular problem within American Social History.
• will have experience working within small groups to define and problematize a sub-topic.
• will know how to find appropriate sources (Secondary and primary).
• will have experience assisting in leading discussions of assigned readings.
• will be able to create and analyze potential research projects within this theme.
• will know how to use book reviews.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The minimum number of students admitted to the course is 3, the maximum 15. The department will not offer an extra seminar if there are more applicants.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with NORAM4520 – Research Seminar in American Social History (continued).

Teaching

Seminar, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks, 20 hours in all.

Obligatory activities:

• Small group organization of one week’s readings
• Assist in leading the weekly discussions
• Participate in weekly discussions of the readings.
• Draft of term paper
• Provide a critique of two other students’ term paper drafts. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.

If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accommodations.

All obligatory attendance and assignments are only valid the semester you attend the course.

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The form of assessment is a term paper (15 page paper +/- 10%)

The topic must be approved early in the semester. Some examples of topics will be provided, but students can suggest a topic of their own within the course theme.

Examination support material

Note that Chicago style footnotes/endnotes (not in-text notes) is the standard in our field.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.