AJ15002 American Literature: 1960 to the Present

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martina Horáková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jiří Šalamoun, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
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 of Seminar Groups
AJ15002/A: Thu 9:10–10:45 G31, M. Horáková
AJ15002/B: Wed 10:50–12:25 C43, M. Horáková
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( AJ09999 Qualifying Examination || AJ01002 Practical English II ) && AJ04003 Intro. to Literary Studies II
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 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course attempts to capture the cultural and literary diversity of American writing since the 1960s. Reading a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction, the course examines works by authors from different geographical regions, ethnic backgrounds, and literary traditions.
Class sessions will include a mini-lecture, audio-visual learning, and group and class discussions.
At the end of the course, students will: 1. Acquire a fuller appreciation of contemporary American literature and the cultural history of the United States. 2. Refine critical thinking and improve communication capabilities.
Syllabus
  • Syllabus: Week 1, Feb 22/23: Introduction to course policies Section I: Identity Politics Week 2, Feb 29/March 1: Storytelling and Orality: Leslie Marmon Silko, “Yellow Woman” and N. Scott Momaday, from The Way to Rainy Mountain essay: Leslie Marmon Silko, “Language and Literature from a Pueblo Indian Perspective” response paper due Week 3, March 7/8: Ethnic Autobiography: Maxine Hong Kingston, The Woman Warrior essay: Christopher Newfield and Avery F. Gordon,“Multiculturalism’s Unfinished Business” response paper due Week 4, March 14/15: Cultural Heritage and Minority Discourse: Alice Walker, “Everyday Use” essay: Toni Morrison, Playing in the Dark response paper due Week 5, March 21/22: Growing Up Chicano/a: Denise Chavez, “The Last of the Menu Girls,” and Rudolfo Anaya, from Bless Me, Ultima essay: Antonia Castaňeda, "Language and Other Lethal Weapons" response paper due Section II: Social Concerns Week 6, March 28/29: Middle-class Family: John Updike, “Separating,” John Cheerver, “The Swimmer” Week 7, April 4/5: The Individual and Society: poetry by Adrienne Rich, Michael Harper, Sylvia Plath Week 8, April 11/12: reading week, no class Week 9, April 18/19: History and Place: David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars Section III: Genre and Textual Diversity Week 10, April 25/26: Contemporary Drama: David Mamet, “American Buffalo” essay: C. W. E. Bigsby, “All True Stories” Week 11, May 2/3: Nature Writing: Barbara Kingsolver, Annie Dillard, Gary Snyder Week 12, May 9/10: Postmodernism and Intertextuality: Ishmael Reed, Flight to Canada Week 13, May 16/17: 21st Century Perspective: McSweeney’s and students’choice
Literature
  • The Heath anthology of American literature. Edited by Paul Lauter. 5th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006, xxii, 838. ISBN 0618532994. info
  • The Norton anthology of American literature. Edited by Nina Baym. 6th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003, s. 1071-19. ISBN 0393979008. info
Teaching methods
Class sessions will include a mini-lecture, audio-visual learning, and group and class discussions.
Assessment methods
Assessment: Students will write weekly response papers, a final essay, and participate actively in the group and class discussions. Assessment: class participation and discussions 20% response papers 30% final essay 50% Note: in order to be able to submit the final essay, students must pass all other activities in the continuous assessment.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 1999, Spring 2001, Autumn 2001, Spring 2002, Autumn 2002, Spring 2003, Autumn 2003, Spring 2004, Autumn 2004, Spring 2005, Autumn 2005, Spring 2006, Autumn 2006, Spring 2007, Autumn 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
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