Instructor: Kevin Mactavish, Ph.D., Building S, Room 606, Ex. 4267
Aims: Cultural literacy is the basic knowledge and awarenesses that we need to understand those from a different country or culture. This course aims to increase all of these--knowledge, awareness, understanding--of the United States of America and its people, from its beginnings to 1900.
The focus of this course is an introduction to the field of American Studies, and specifically to America's past, wherein present day phenomena, including aspects of American English and culture, have their roots.
This is a blended learning course, part online and part with the teacher in person. It is also a course that endorses common learning outcomes for all students and unique learning outcomes for each.
Schedule: (tentative)
1. (Even Calendar Week) Lecture: "Administrivia" and Introduction (in class) and Pre-test (online)
Seminar A: How do you know what you know?
2. (Odd Calendar Week) Seminar B and C: How do you know what you know?
3. Lecture: What is American Studies? and Penetrating Culture (both online)
Seminar A: Penetrating Culture, Washington Crossing the Delaware
4. Seminar B and C: Penetrating Culture, Washington Crossing the Delaware
5. Lecture: Getting Started with American Studies (online)
Seminar A: Literature Topic (TBA)
6. Seminar B and C: Literature Topic (TBA)
7. Lecture: An American Fairy Tale (evening film and discussion) and Mid-term test (online)
Seminar A: Student Presentations
8. Seminar B and C: Student Presentations, facilitated by student(s)
9. Lecture: Reading, Founding Documents (online)
Seminar A: Student Presentations, facilitated by student(s)
10. Seminar B and C: Student Presentations, facilitated by student(s)
11. Lecture: History and Literature (online practice test)
Seminar A: Student Presentations
12. Seminar B and C: Student Presentations
Christmas
13. (Odd Week) Seminar B and C: First sitting, end-of-term test OR Review and Conclusion
14. (Even Week) Seminar A: Second sitting, end-of-term test OR Review and Conclusion
Assessment: This course follows the departmental policy of continuous assessment. Students should continuously show that they are making progress. An end-of-term written test may be given. Students passing any tests and completing all other work including readings will get credit.
Readings and Resources: These provide the core readings and resources for the course.
Available from Knihovna Technické univerzity v Liberci
(Citations per OPAC)
Author: High, Peter B.
Title: Outline of American literature
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher/year: London : Longman, 1986
Physical descr. : 256 s. : il.
Signatures: A 35843
Author: O'Callaghan, Bryn
Title: <
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher/year: Harlow : Longman, 1990
Physical descr. : 144 s. : il.
Signatures: A 54570
The course Web site also has links to required primary and secondary source materials. See http://wbl-en.com/sl.
Recommended readings and additional information are below.
Date: September 15, 2006
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Participation: Participating in class, or in tutorial or other sessions, and online from start to finish will show that a student is making progress.
Participation is defined as contributing to one's own learning and that of others. Assignments must be turned in on time and be the student's own work.
Copying from someone else without mentioning it and without including a citation will show you are not participating. Not participating in this way results in no credit for the term or course.
Readings and Resources: These provide the core readings and resources for the course.
Available from Knihovna Technické univerzity v Liberci
(Citations per OPAC)
Required:
Author: High, Peter B.
Title: Outline of American literature
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher/year: London : Longman, 1986
Physical descr. : 256 s. : il.
Signatures: A 35843
Author: O'Callaghan, Bryn
Title: <
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher/year: Harlow : Longman, 1990
Physical descr. : 144 s. : il.
Signatures: A 54570
The course Web site also has links to required primary and secondary source materials.
Recommended:
Author: Inge, M. Thomas
Title: A nineteenth-century American reader
Publisher/year: Washington : United States Information Agency, 1991
Physical descr. : xx, 584 s. : il.
Signatures: A 37949
[selections only]
Title: An Outline of American History
Edition: 1. vyd.
Publisher/year: Washington : United States Information Agency, 1994
Physical descr. : 407 s.
Signatures: A 38387
Author: Birdsall, [written by Stephen S.
Florin], John
Title: Outline of American geography : regional landscapes of the United States
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher/year: [Washington : United States information agency], 1992
Physical descr. : 197 s. : il.
Signatures: A 47808
Clack, George (ed.). Outline of U.S. History. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. 2005.
Available from the Instructor (for a 200 CZK deposit)
Author: Inge, M. Thomas
Title: A nineteenth-century American reader
Publisher/year: Washington : United States Information Agency, 1991
Physical descr. : xx, 584 s. : il.
Signatures: A 37949
[Available from the Instructor (200 CZK deposit).]
and
Lemay, J.A. Leo (ed.), An Early American Reader. Washington, D.C.: United States Information Agency. 1991.
[Available from the Instructor (200 CZK deposit).]
Commitment:
In-class and online (required) = 21 hours (estimate)
Out-of-class (study time plus online resources) = 31 hours (estimate)
Total = 52 hours
Topics/Key Questions:
What is this discipline called American Studies?
What information is essential for cultural literacy?
How can we understand America and Americans?
What are some specific insights into America's past?
Objectives: As a result of this course, students should be able to:
* describe American Studies as an academic discipline;
* write general outlines for the history and literature of the US to 1900, and give details for at least two or three topics in each of these outlines;
* list ten major American authors to 1900 and the title and character of one or two of their writings; or alternatively,
* read and report on a list of required readings;
* describe the requirements for valid and useful descriptions of a people; and
* demonstrate an understanding of American culture by giving a rich interpretation of a cultural artifact prior to 1900.
Grading Scheme: (most common)
1 = 9, 10 points (for best work)
2 = 7, 8 (for above average work)
3 = 5, 6 (for average work)
Failing = 1, 2, 3, 4 points (for something)
0 = 0 (for no work)
This course also tries to assess whether or not students show separate and connected ways of knowing. How facts relate to one another is important.
Prerequisites: Upper intermediate level English proficiency; Introduction to Cultural Studies or a related course.
