UCJAAML1 American Studies

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Summer 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/9/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Marie Crhová, Ph.D., MA (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Marie Crhová, Ph.D., MA
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Znalost historie a reálií Velké Británie.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with basic insight and understanding of the problems of American studies, highlight the fundamental political, cultural and social aspects of life in the USA, with an emphasis on what is specific to the United States. Literature: Jordan, W. D. a Litwack, L. F.: The United States, 7. vydání, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1994. McNaught, K.: The Penguin History of Canada, London: Penguin, 1988. Nevins, A. a kol.: A Pocket History of the United States, 9. vydání, New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Stevenson, D. K.: American Life and Institutions, Stuttgart: Ernst Klett Verlag, 1989. Veselý, K.: The English Speaking Countries, 3. vydání, SPN: Praha, 1983.
Syllabus
  • 1. Colonial America and American population
    - the early settlement of the North American continent and its consequences for population structure of the USA nowadays, history of immigration, multiculturalism, approaches to accepting immigrants.
    2. American Revolution and American government
    - issues and values leading to American Revolution, foundation of new government and its structure, checks and balances, from a bill to a law.
    3. American expansion and Geography of the USA
    - the process of settling the continental part of the USA and connected legislative documents and proclamations, the topography of the USA today.
    4. Between the revolution and the Civil War, History of Slavery and Abolitionism, the Civil War
    - the history of American attitude to slavery, documents and events leading to the raise of abolitionism, the break-up and consequences of the Civil War.
    5. The Reconstruction, the Gilded Age and American Education
    - the political situation in the USA after the Civil War, the economic and social situation at the end of the 19 century and foundations of basic principles of American education.
    6. America at the beginning of the 20th century and American Economy
    - the period of progressivism and of the American Empire, the 20s, the 30s, the historical perspective on agriculture and industry and the governmental involvement into economy.
    7. America at war in the 20th century
    - Word War I, Word War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, War in Iraq.
    8. Post-war America
    - cultural, historical and political look at post-war America.
    9. American mass media
    - basic features and functions, freedom of press, the press, broadcasting, and Internet.
    10. American culture
    architecture, painting, sculpture, music, theatre, and film.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Teacher's information
Regular attendance to the seminars, presentation/essay and a successful completion of a written test which would prove the students` ability to apply theoretical background upon texts.
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2008, Summer 2009, Summer 2010, Summer 2011, Summer 2012, Summer 2013, Summer 2014, Summer 2015, Summer 2016, Summer 2017, Summer 2018, Summer 2019, Summer 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Summer 2020, recent)
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