Program Overview

Course Overview

The course HIST 217, USA and Global Power: 1890 to Present, examines the history of the United States as it expanded from a continental to an international power. It analyzes crucial episodes in the century, including the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the US's role in the post-Cold War world.

Course Details

• Dates: 7 Jul 2025 to 9 Nov 2025
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,090.60 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,560.00 for international students
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Monday 2.10pm
  • Wednesday 2.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 200 hours or 11.1 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 20

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 20 pts from HIST 100-199, CLAS 106
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations — Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Find important dates—including mid-trimester teaching breaks—on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About This Course

This course examines the history of the United States from the 1890s to the recent past as it expanded from a continental to a global power, using both 'hard power' in military and economic form and 'soft power' through media and cultural influences. It analyzes crucial episodes in regards to the exercise of global power and explores the creation of a 'virtual empire' where U.S.-created cultural and ideological products 'Americanized' their consumers.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Learn about important issues and events in US History from the 1890s to the recent past.
2. Select, analyze, and interpret primary sources including media evidence.
3. Analyze historical interpretations by professional historians.
4. Construct a historical interpretation based upon the analysis of primary sources which answers specified research question(s) and compares results to other historical interpretations (historiography).

How This Course Is Taught

HIST 217 is taught primarily on campus, through two weekly lectures and weekly one-hour tutorials, which include in-person and via Zoom classes. Most students will attend on campus; however, the course can be completed online if needed.

Assessment

• Historiographical Essay (1000 words): 20%
• Mid-trimester Test (50 minutes): 25%
• Research Essay (3000 words): 30%
• End of Trimester Short Answer Test (50 minutes): 25%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Attend at least eight of eleven tutorial sessions.
2. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 7 July 2025 to 17 August 2025
• 1 September 2025 to 12 October 2025

What You'll Need to Get

No specific texts or equipment are required for this course.

Course Options

• Offering 1: 7 Jul to 9 Nov, 2.10pm on Monday, 2.10pm on Wednesday, Kelburn, Trimester 2, CRN 8023
• Offering 2: 7 Jul to 9 Nov, No lecture times, Taught Online, Trimester 2, CRN 37273