Social issues of English-speaking countries 1 1.S3.EP.40
Course objectives:
The main aim of the course is to providie students with broad knowledge of the US institutions, American identity, and the living conditions in the country in order to contextualize their further research in culture.
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Course content:
1. Introduction to course
2. Symbols and meaning of the USA.
3. New England Region
4. Government of the USA
5. The Mid-Atlantic Region
6. Slavery and Racism
7. The South
8. Native Americans
9. The Rocky Mountain Region
10. Immigration
11. California
12. Mexican-Americans
13. US Elections
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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:
lecture/teacher's presentation, handouts and analysis of originall materials, videos, taking notes, matching tasks, extension readings, discussion, students' individual multimedia presentations or speeches, ICTtools/MSTeams if needed
Field of study
Student workload
Study level
Education profile
Type of course
The semester in which the subject is carried out
Mode
Requirements
Course coordinators
Term 2024/25-Z: | Term 2023/24-Z: | Term 2022/23-Z: |
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes acc to PQR 2019
Knowledge
1. The student has a systematic knowledge of American life and institutions in the context of interrelated disciplines (history, geography, demography, economy, political science, religion, culture). (k_W06/P6S_WG)
2. The student has a basic knowledge of social, economic, political, and cultural institutions and processes and will be acquainted with contemporary cultural life of the USA. (k_W09/P6S_WK)
Skills
3. The student can find, analyse, select, and use information about the USA. (k_U07/P6S_UO)
4. The student can prepare a speech/presentation in English on a specific subject from the area of American life and institutions. (k_U04/P6S_UK)
Social competences
5. The student is aware of the cultural heritage of his/her own country and will be tolerant of cultural differences of other countries and nations.(k_K03/P6S_KO)
Assessment criteria
Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes:
1. An evaluation of active participation in classes, analysis of information and case studies, drawing conclusions - 30% of the final grade (outcome 2,3,5)
2. A multimedia presentation or a speech on a selected subject included in the syllabus - 30% of the final grade (outcome 3,4,5)
3. A written multiple-choice test - 40% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3)
Bibliography
Reading list
A. obligatory reading (to get a credit):
A.1. used in class
An Outline of American Geography (OAG)
Outline of US Government (OUSG)
Stevenson, D.K. (1996) American Life and Institutions. Stuttgart: Ernst Klett Verlag.
A.2. used for self-study
The United States of America Wikipaedia Template
CThe US CEnsus Bureau website
B. supplementary reading
Bromhead, P. (1988) Life in Modern America. 3rd ed. New York: Longman.
Ryszka, E. (1977) The US Federal System of Government. Warszawa: PWN.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: