A2BP_DUSA History of the United States 1

Faculty of Education
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Pavla Buchtová (seminar tutor)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Irena Přibylová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
A2BP_DUSA/01: Thu 13:55–16:30 učebna 64, P. Buchtová, M. George
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( A2BP_PJ1B Practical Language 1B && A2BP_GR1B Grammar B && A2BP_SFFB Phonetics Seminar B ) || A2BP_SOZK Complex Exam
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students should be able to identify and evaluate the main currents of U.S. cultural history and their causes and consequences in relation to modern American culture and society. They should be able to analyze current events in The United States as well as develop a richer understanding of American literature. In addition they should be able to assess and evaluate the actions and policies of contemporary America and distinguish between the obvious and the underlying causes.
Syllabus
  • 1.Introduction, History and values in modern America
  • 2.Europe, exploration and the new world
  • 3.Immigration: What is an American?
  • 4.Colonial America: the Road to Revolution
  • 5.The Constitution: The bill of Rights and dissent
  • 6.Sectionalism: North and South
  • 7.Democracy and Slavery
  • 8.Class koloquium: "Huck Finn" in history
  • 9.The Western frontier
  • 10.Movement, mobility and family
  • 11.class koloquium: "My Antonia" in history
  • 12.Conclusion and final koloquium
Literature
  • DAVIDSON, James West. Nation of nations : a concise narrative of the American Republic. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996, xxiv, 947. ISBN 0070157383. info
  • ZINN, Howard. A people's history of the United States. 1st HarperPerrenial ed. New York: Harper Perennial, 1990, 614 s. ISBN 0060907924. info
  • O'CALLAGHAN, D. B. An illustrated history of the USA. Harlow: Longman, 1990, 144 s. ISBN 0582749212. info
Teaching methods
This class meets in "round table" seminar discussions fortnightly, where we look in depth at one of these particular issues of American History and ask "why?". These are classic, interactive seminars - in which each student comes to the class having read the assigned texts and shares his/her opinions on the subject. Careful reading is especially important because each set of seminar readings represents several different points of view on the subject of the day. Because History and literature are impossible to separate, this course is being offered in conjunction with Mgr. Buchtova’s American Literature course. We will make every effort throughout the semester to blend these disciplines in an attempt to give you a more integrated and realistic picture of the origins of modern America. For that reason, you will be asked to give special attention to the relationships and connections between historical and literary movements, persons and events in both classes. The koloqvium will focus on these associations.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods 1. Attendance: Only 2 absences are allowed; three or more absences will mean loss of credit. 2. Preparation and class participation: Every student is required to have read the assigned texts and share his/her thoughts about them around the discussion circle. YOU MUST JOIN THE CLASS DISCUSSION TO SIT THE KOLOQVIUM. 3. Koloqvium: The koloqvium will focus on the associations between history and literature. Students must be able to recognize and describe these connections. Minimum passing mark for the koloqvium is 70%.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2015/A2BP_DUSA