AJ07002 Introduction to American Studies: Topics in Culture

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 1 credit for an exam). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Pospíšil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Jeffrey Alan Smith, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (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
Wed 12:00–13:40 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: 1/200, 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
Course objectives
Students will gain an understanding of the major themes in U.S. history and culture from the second half of the twentieth century.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to discuss important themes relating to American history and culture from the 20th century. They should be able to explain the relationship between specific themes and the general trends of American history and how they relate to and diverge from the primary American historical narrative. The will be able to identify the important historical figures and their writings associated with the topics listed in the outline.
Syllabus
  • During this semester, the course shifts from a chronological to a thematic survey of important issues in American history and culture, with a focus on post-World War II events. Readings come from a variety of sources as indicated in the bibliography.
  • Week 1: "Happy Days": The 1950s
  • Week 2: The Sixties and Their Impact
  • Week 3: Native Americans
  • Week 4: Culture Wars: The 1970s and '80s
  • Week 5: Religion in the United States
  • Week 6: African Americans
  • Week 7: READING WEEK
  • Week 8: The Media A Nation of Governments
  • Week 9: Immigration and Ethnic Identity
  • Week 10: American Foreign Policy
  • Week 11: Gender, Feminism and Sexual Identity
  • Week 12: The American City and American Regions
  • Week 13: A Nation of Governments
Literature
    required literature
  • BRINKLEY, Alan. American history : a survey. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1991, xvi, s. ISBN 0070150281. info
  • CAMPBELL, Neil and Alasdair KEAN. American cultural studies : an introduction to American culture. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 1997, viii, 311. ISBN 041512798X. info
  • Darcy McNickle. Native American Tribalism. Indian Survivals and Renewals, Oxford University Press, 1973.
Teaching methods
A weekly 1.5 hour lecture/seminar in English
Assessment methods
A written test consisting of 50 questions (multiple choice, matching, short answer). When a student answers a question correctly, he/she is awarded a point(s) for it. To pass the test, a student must achieve a score of 60%.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
http://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/view.php?id=447
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2019/AJ07002