AJ1303 American History, Culture and Literature I

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/3/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Pavla Buchtová (seminar tutor)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D. (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
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ1303/Kombi01: Fri 17. 9. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, Fri 1. 10. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, Fri 15. 10. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, Fri 5. 11. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, Fri 19. 11. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, Fri 3. 12. 8:00–10:50 učebna 11, P. Buchtová, M. George
AJ1303/Prez01: Thu 23. 9. to Thu 16. 12. Thu 13:00–15:50 učebna 53, P. Buchtová, M. George
AJ1303/Prez02: Wed 22. 9. to Wed 15. 12. Wed 8:00–10:50 učebna 53, P. Buchtová, M. George
Prerequisites
AJ1102 Practical Language 1B
none
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
The aim of the course is to explore the major as well as some of the lesser-known writers, literary movements, major historical events, trends and cultural concepts and make meaningful connections between them; and also to provide the historical, literary and cultural background necessary for those intending to be become English language teachers.
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
  • Colonial Beginnings
  • History: Immigration and the National Character: Puritans - Studying the Seeds
  • Literature: William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Mary Rowlandson
  • Revolution and Enlightenment
  • History: From European to American: the road to revolution
  • Literature: Benjamin Franklin, Jean de Crevecoeur, The Declaration of Independence
  • America Moves West
  • History: The Frontier as a Movable Concept: Mobility and Family
  • Literature: romantic period; Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • The Nation Divides
  • History: Sectionalism: North, South and Slavery
  • Literature: African American experience, slave narratives, folk tales, spirituals
  • America Transforms: Industrialism and Immigration
  • History: Industrialism and Immigration: the Emergence of the Modern Woman
  • Literature: Realism, Regionalism, Naturalism; Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Zitkala Sa
Literature
  • The Columbia history of the American novel. Edited by Emory Elliott - Cathy N. Davidson. New York: Columbia University, 1991, xviii, 905. ISBN 0-231-07360-7. info
  • The Heath anthology of American literature. Edited by Paul Lauter. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1990, xxxix, 261. ISBN 0-669-12065-0. info
  • Columbia literary history of the United States. Edited by Emory Elliott. New York: Columbia University Press, 1988, xxviii, 12. ISBN 0-231-05812-8. info
Teaching methods
discussion-based seminars, pair and group work, issue-based learning, project work
Assessment methods
1) Response papers (1 for each seminar), focusing on one text from the assigned reading
2) Credit test (mock state exam test) will focus on the inter-relationship between history, culture and literature. Students failing to pass this test will then sit a colloquium.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: kombinované studium: výuka v blocích.
Teacher's information
https://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=2868
FOR ONLINE SEMESTER: Students are requested to secure good internet connection in order to participate in online lessons as indicated in the schedule. Students must attend these meetings with both the sound and camera on.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2021/AJ1303