AJ07001 Introduction to American Studies I

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: graded credit.
Teacher(s)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Pospíšil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Timetable
Tue 19:10–20:45 N51
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
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to discuss the major events and themes in the history of the United States from European colonization through World War II. Students should be able to identify the speeches and writings of important historical figures.
Syllabus
  • This course focuses on the history and development of the American nation, and examines the various currents (social, historical, political, intellectual and cultural) that have contributed to and today compose American culture. The primary text is American History: A Survey, which is supplemented by additional reading materials as well as videos and slides presented in class. One important aspect of the course is the emphasis placed on gaining an awareness of the "mediated" nature of knowledge and understanding, on the idea that cultural and historical knowledge should be seen as part of an ongoing process of critical thinking which is never "completed".
  • Week 1: Course Introduction
  • Week 2: "Life in Provincial America", New England Settlements and Puritans
  • Week 3: The Declaration of Independence and Identity
  • Week 4: North and South: Diverging Societies
  • Week 5: Jacksonian America
  • Week 6: U.S. Government and Elections
  • Week 7: The Age of Reforms
  • Week 8: Settling the West
  • Week 9: The Gilded Age
  • Week 10: Progressivism
  • Week 11: Imperialism and the New World Order
  • Week 12: The Roaring Twenties
  • Week 13: The Great Depression
Literature
  • BRINKLEY, Alan. American history : a survey. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1991, xvi, s. ISBN 0070150281. info
  • BRINKLEY, Alan. American history : a survey. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1991, xv, 479. ISBN 0070150273. info
Teaching methods
A 1.5 hour seminar/lecture per week
Assessment methods
Assessment: a written exam at the end of the term based on the assigned readings and the materials presented in the seminar.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/view.php?id=520
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 1999, Autumn 2000, Autumn 2001, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2011, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2011/AJ07001