FF:AJL07001 Intro. to American Studies I - Course Information

AJL07001 Introduction to American Studies I

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). 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. Tomáš Pospíšil, 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

Wed 16:00–17:40 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: 2/200, 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 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic overview of American history from the time of European colonization (and even before) through World War II. While the reading covers basically all relevant topics, in the lectures we will focus on some major events and trends in American history that had a lasting impact on the United States as we know it today. Students also should be familiar with the main patterns of American political thought, the basics of the American political system, and should be able to identify the speeches and writings of important historical figures.

Learning outcomes

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
- be able to identify the speeches and writings of important historical figures
- should be familiar with the main patterns of American political thought and their origins
- understand the specifics of the American system of government

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

required 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

recommended literature
• TINDALL, George Brown and David E. SHI. America : a narrative history. 4th ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996, xvii, 1566. ISBN 0393968731. info
• ZINN, Howard. A people's history of the United States. 1st HarperPerrenial ed. New York: Harper Perennial, 1990, 614 s. ISBN 0060907924. info
• LEVINE, Bruce C. Who built America? : working people and the nation's economy, politics, culture, and society. Vol. 1, From conquest and colonization through reconstruction and the great uprising of 1877. 1st ed. New York: Pantheon Books, 1989, xvii, 606. ISBN 0-679-72699-3. info

Teaching methods

Independent preparation - reading of the assigned sources and viewing the materials online; 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.

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.

Teacher's information

http://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/view.php?id=520

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  
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