A2BP_DUSA2 History of the United States 2

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Pavla Buchtová (seminar tutor)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Prerequisites
SOUHLAS
A2BP_DUSA1
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students should be able to identify and evaluate the main currents of U.S. cultural history and their causes and consequences in relation to modern American culture and society. They should be able to analyze current events in The United States as well as develop a richer understanding of American literature.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able
1) to identify and evaluate the main currents of U.S. cultural history and especially their causes and consequences in relation to modern American culture and society
2) to understand how myths about America’s foundation and iconic historical events have been formulated, debated and challenged by American writers
3) to discuss the role of gender, culture and race in shaping the forms and themes of literary texts
Syllabus
  • 1. The South after the Civil War: Reconstruction and "Jim Crow" 2. Industrialization, Immigration and Imperialism 3. Boom : The "Jazz Age" 4. "The Great Gatsby" in history 5. Bust: the Great Depression 6. The Cold War and "McCarthyism" 7. Social Protest and democracy 8. Civil Rights 9. "The Bluest Eye" 10. Multi-culturalism: "the salad bowl" 11. Modern America: "the big tent?" 12. Final Koloquium
Literature
    required literature
  • O'CALLAGHAN, D. B. An illustrated history of the USA. Harlow: Longman, 1990, 144 s. ISBN 0582749212. info
    recommended literature
  • DAVIDSON, James West. Nation of nations : a concise narrative of the American Republic. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996, xxiv, 947. ISBN 0070157383. info
Teaching methods
This class meets in "round table" seminar discussions fortnightly, where we look in depth at one of these particular issues of American History and ask "why?". These are classic, interactive seminars - in which each student comes to the class having read the assigned texts and shares his/her opinions on the subject. Careful reading is especially important because each set of seminar readings represents several different points of view on the subject of the day. Because History and literature are impossible to separate, this course is being offered in conjunction with Mgr. Buchtova’s American Literature course. We will make every effort throughout the semester to blend these disciplines in an attempt to give you a more integrated and realistic picture of the origins of modern America. For that reason, you will be asked to give special attention to the relationships and connections between historical and literary movements, persons and events in both classes. The koloqvium will focus on these associations.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods 1. Attendance: Only 1 absence is allowed; two or more absences will mean loss of credit. 2. Preparation and class participation: Every student is required to have read the assigned texts and share his/her thoughts about them around the discussion circle. STUDENTS MUST JOIN THE CLASS DISCUSSION TO RECEIVE CREDIT. 3. Koloqvium: The koloqvium will focus on the associations between history and literature. Students must be able to recognize and describe the connections between history and literature.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020.
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  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2021/A2BP_DUSA2