AJPV_KAMZ Culture of English Speaking Countries

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2006
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Mgr. Petra Hoydenová
Timetable
Thu 12:30–13:15 učebna 59
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Theme of the course: "Language comes from our families, our cultures, our class backgrounds, our experiences of different and conflicting realities." (Kit Yuen Quan) The aim of the course is to explore how different cultures are defined through both verbal and non-verbal language, symbols and meanings they assign to the symbols, and values they sustain. In the first part of the course we will deal with the questions What is culture? What is cultural identity? How is my culture different from those of others? How do we perceive the world and How do we interpret the social reality? How are our interpretations interlinked with our culture? Further we will look into ways one's own language reflects one's own culture. The topics will include language and gender, i.e. how females and males communicate, language and stereotypes, language and social power, i.e. how language influences our view of other cultures. The course is to be geared primarily, but not exclusively, to American cultures. Its essential idea, however, lies in deepening and broadening students' cultural awareness. Students should develop positive attitudes towards other cultures.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to cultural studies: meanings of culture 2. Cultural identity and Cultural values 3. Worldviews and ethos 4. American values and values in changing world 5. Developing stereotypes: making judgements 6. Cultural diversity in the U.S. 7. Theory of multiculturalism: how to cope with cultural diversity? 8. Cultural diversity at home 9. Culture and language: intercultural communication and gender 10.English language as means of intercultural communication
Literature
  • GUDYKUNST, William B. Bridging differences : effective intergroup communication. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2004, xvi, 425. ISBN 0761929371. info
  • MELLUCI, Alberto. The playing self :person and meaning in the planetary society. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996, vii, 177 s. ISBN 0-521-56401-8. info
  • STEWART, Edward C. and Milton J. BENNETT. American cultural patterns :a cross-cultural perspective. Yarmouth: Intercultural Press, 1991, xiii, 192. ISBN 1-877864-01-3. info
  • TOMALIN, Barry and Susan STEMPLESKI. Cultural awareness. First published. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993, 160 stran. ISBN 0194371948. info
Assessment methods (in Czech)
TO EARN THE CREDITS, STUDENTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING 3 REQUIREMENTS: 1. ACTIVE CLASS PARTICIPATION Be ready in class to respond to questions the teacher will ask on the corresponding study materials in all the topic 11 topics. You are strongly advised to print out the study materials. You should also bring copies of the materials to each of the classes - one copy per pair of students is enough. 2. DO ALL THE QUIZES There are 4 'Test yourself' quizes in the course. The quizes are designed for students to test their understanding of the particular topics. Students will be checked if they regularly fill in the tests. Scores students gain from doing the quizes will not count towards the overall evaluation of their work. 3. DO 4 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS/TASKS There are 4 written assignments with questions you have to answer. A deadline is set for each assignment. For the due dates see the 'Written Assignment...' under particular topics. 30 % of all points will be deducted from each assignment that will be submitted after the deadline. The maximum pass for all the 4 tasks is 46 points. In order to meet the requirements, students need to earn minimum 32 points from all the assignments.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://www.ped.muni.cz/weng/moodle
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2006, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2006/AJPV_KAMZ