PdF:AJ1303 American History, Culture and - Course Information

AJ1303 American History, Culture and Literature I

Extent and Intensity

0/3/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Barbora Kašpárková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Barbora Kašpárková, 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

AJ1303/OS01: Fri 26. 9. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Fri 10. 10. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Fri 24. 10. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Fri 7. 11. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Fri 21. 11. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Fri 5. 12. 8:00–10:50 A41 učebna, Z. Janík, B. Kašpárková
AJ1303/01: Wed 8:00–10:50 B46 učebna, B. Kašpárková
AJ1303/02: Wed 11:00–13:50 B46 učebna, B. Kašpárková

Prerequisites

none

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

there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to explore the major as well as some of the lesser-known writers, literary movements, major historical events, trends and cultural concepts and make meaningful connections between them; and also to provide the historical, literary and cultural background necessary for those intending to be become English language teachers.
In teacher training programs, students must also develop a range of skills and competencies to be successful as teachers. Literary courses are instrumental in cultivating some of these skills, such as creative thinking, problem solving, critical thinking, intercultural awareness, and communicative competence.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able
1) to identify and evaluate the main currents of U.S. cultural history and especially their causes and consequences in relation to modern American culture and society
2) to understand how myths about America’s foundation and iconic historical events have been formulated, debated and challenged by American writers
3) to discuss the role of gender, culture and race in shaping the forms and themes of literary texts A portfolio task is included as part of the course assessment. One of the requirements for passing this course is the creation of a recorded podcast episode based on a novel of the student’s selection. According to the Competency Framework for Teacher Graduates (OSKR / KRAAU), the development of this portfolio task strengthens competence in (i) identifying and interpreting the relationships between literature, culture, and language by engaging with authentic texts and critically discussing them; (ii) didactically transforming complex subject content into accessible oral explanations and learning opportunities that correspond to the cognitive level and educational needs of elementary school pupils.

Syllabus

• Colonial Beginnings
• History: Immigration and the National Character: Puritans - Studying the Seeds
• Literature: William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Mary Rowlandson
• Revolution and Enlightenment
• History: From European to American: the road to revolution
• Literature: Benjamin Franklin, Jean de Crevecoeur, The Declaration of Independence
• America Moves West
• History: The Frontier as a Movable Concept: Mobility and Family
• Literature: romantic period; Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson
• The Nation Divides
• History: Sectionalism: North, South and Slavery
• Literature: African American experience, slave narratives, folk tales, spirituals
• America Transforms: Industrialism and Immigration
• History: Industrialism and Immigration: the Emergence of the Modern Woman
• Literature: Realism, Regionalism, Naturalism; Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Literature

• American passages : a literary survey. Edited by Diane O'Connor. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004, xliv, 808. ISBN 0393979407. info
• The Columbia history of the American novel. Edited by Emory Elliott - Cathy N. Davidson. New York: Columbia University, 1991, xviii, 905. ISBN 0-231-07360-7. info
• Columbia literary history of the United States. Edited by Emory Elliott. New York: Columbia University Press, 1988, xxviii, 12. ISBN 0-231-05812-8. info
• HIGH, Peter B. An outline of American literature. London: Longman, 1986, 256 s. ISBN 0582745020. info

Teaching methods

discussion-based seminars, pair and group work, issue-based learning, response papers

Assessment methods

Continuous assessment (50%): class attendance and active participation; complete in-class quizzes on American history and literature; read all the assigned readings for the seminar To successfully pass the course, students must complete a portfolio task (podcast) Summative assessment (50%): Podcast

Náhradní absolvování

It is possible to complete the course while abroad on a study stay, such as Erasmus, if an agreement is made with the teacher prior to departure. The student must self-study all the materials like regular students and pass the final test.

Language of instruction

English

Study support

https://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=2868

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.

Teacher's information

https://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=2868
In the course, the use of AI is permitted for learning but not for cheating. It is acceptable to use AI for brainstorming ideas, basic proofreading, and suggestions for improvement. It is unacceptable to have a text generated, translated or reformulated. Remember to acknowledge all innovative ideas that are not yours. For generated ideas, use in-text citations. At the end of each assignment, state how you worked/did not work with AI. When in doubt, consult your teacher.

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