AJ07001 Introduction to American Studies I

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 1 credit for an exam). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Pospíšil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Jeffrey Alan Smith, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jana Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 9:10–10:45 B2.13
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 200 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/200, only registered: 0/200, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/200
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
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
The course is taught annually.
Information about innovation of course.
This course has been innovated under the project "Faculty of Arts as Centre of Excellence in Education: Complex Innovation of Study Programmes and Fields at FF MU with Regard to the Requirements of the Knowledge Economy“ – Reg. No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0228, which is cofinanced by the European Social Fond and the national budget of the Czech Republic.

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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 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2016, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2016/AJ07001