AJ5310 The American West

Faculty of Education
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, 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
AJ5310/01: Sat 20. 3. 8:30–12:40 učebna 58, Sat 15. 5. 8:30–12:40 učebna 58, M. George
Prerequisites
none
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 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 33 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This block option class looks at the importance of the West in American history. The first meeting deals with the West, its lure of Europeans to the New World and its subsequent shaping of the American character. Readings during the semester examine European immigration and westward expansion, the effect of the western movement on family, and race (Native Americans, Chinese Americans and Mexican Americans) among other issues. The last meeting focuses on the enduring influence of the West in modern American life and politics, and its mythologizing at the hands of Hollywood. The aim of the course is for students to distinguish between the stereotype and reality of American culture and develop a more balanced and realistic understanding in appraising of one of the centers of modern English language.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, students will be able to understand the underlying themes that the west has contributed to modern America.
Syllabus
  • Syllabus for block plan:
  • Through the discussion of assigned texts as well as documentary videos the first meeting deals with the West as a cause of European immigration and its subsequent shaping of the American character.
  • Readings during the semester examine westward expansion and its effect on family, as well as race (Native Americans, Chinese Americans and Mexican Americans) among other issues, all of which are discussed on the class on-line forum.
  • Through the discussion of assigned reading and video excerpts of classic and modern western films, the last meeting analyzes the enduring influence of the West in modern American life and politics, and its mythologizing at the hands of Hollywood.
Literature
  • Webb, Walter Prescott. The Great Plains. New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 1931
  • Turner, Frederick Jackson. “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”
  • Kaplan, Robert. An Empire Wilderness. New York: Random House, 1998.
Teaching methods
Students are assigned readings which are discussed in classic seminar fashion at the first (6 hour) class meeting. documentary videos are also used to supplement the discussion. Every two or three weeks thereafter, students are given 2 or 3 texts on line and required to read and comment on them on the on-line forum. the class ends with more assigned reading, another 6 hour discussion/documentary seminar.
Assessment methods
Attendance of all 6 hours of both class meetings, full preparation and participation in class discussion as well as reading the inter-block texts combined with active participation in the on-line forum are required for credit.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět bude realizován, pokud se přihlásí alespoň 15 studentů.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 12 hodin ve 2 blocích.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2021/AJ5310