230413 Social and Cultural Studies: North America (S) (SoSe 2015)

Contents, comment

How does a country spanning a continent with a diverse population of many racial, ethnic, and religious origins and orientations function as a single nation? What beliefs, values and ideas bind the people together? What differences, divisions and tensions contribute to strife and polarization? How are internal developments and global forces shaping the image of the United States and its role in the world? All of these questions are relevant to understanding the culture(s) of the United States. This course will examine some of the ideological underpinnings, historical influences and cultural institutions that contribute to the way Americans live their lives and see themselves. These include the structure of government, political ideologies, religious heritage, immigration patterns, race relations, education system and cultural geography. We will explore the notion of "American exceptionalism" and ask if and to what extent such a concept illuminates our understanding of American culture.

Requirements for participation, required level

You should have completed BM 1-3 before taking this course.

Bibliography

American Civilization: An Introduction
by David Mauk and John Oakland

Sixth edition 2013

Additional material will be provided in class or sent to students via e-mail.

Teaching staff

Dates ( Calendar view )

Frequency Weekday Time Format / Place Period  
weekly Do 16-18 D2-136 07.04.-17.07.2015
not on: 5/14/15 / 6/4/15 / 6/25/15

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Subject assignments

Module Course Requirements  
23-ANG-AngPM3 Profilmodul 3: American Studies PM 3. 2 Social and Cultural Studies: US America Study requirement
Student information
23-ANG-AngPM3.1 Profilmodul 3.1: American Studies 3.1.2 Social and Cultural Studies: US America Study requirement
Student information
- Graded examination Student information

The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.

Degree programme/academic programme Validity Variant Subdivision Status Semester LP  
Anglistik: British and American Studies / Bachelor (Enrollment until SoSe 2011) Kern- und Nebenfach BaAngBM4   2. 3. 3  
Anglistik: British and American Studies / Master of Education (Enrollment until SoSe 2014) BaAngBM4   2. 3. 3  
Anglistik: British and American Studies (GHR) / Master of Education (Enrollment until SoSe 2014) BaAngBM4   1. 2. 3  
Studieren ab 50    

There will be assigned readings in the textbook (see below) and other reading material distributed in class or made available online. But to absorb and understand the core content of this course, you will also need to be present for class discussions. Class time will NOT be limited to summarising what is contained in the reading, but will present and explore concepts that will place the reading in context and explore its implications for understanding how culture works in the U.S.A. Two in-class written exercises (total up to 3,600 words in length) will constitute the required Studienleistung for the course and will give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned. The module PM3 on American Studies requires one term paper or other project, which may be done in connection with this course.

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SS2015_230413@ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de
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Last update basic details/teaching staff:
Friday, December 11, 2015 
Last update times:
Thursday, October 22, 2015 
Last update rooms:
Monday, February 16, 2015 
Type(s) / SWS (hours per week per semester)
seminar (S) / 2
Language
This lecture is taught in english
Department
Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies
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