At the end of this course, the students; 1) will be able to discuss the major theories which have shaped the different areas of research in American Cultural Studies.
MODE OF DELIVERY
E-Learning
PRE-REQUISITES OF THE COURSE
No
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PROGRAMME COMPONENT
None
COURSE DEFINITION
This course will explore selected topics in cultural theory (such as identity, ethnicity, race, gender, class, and the media) with reference to contemporary American society. These topics will be discussed through contextual and semiotic analysis.
COURSE CONTENTS
WEEK
TOPICS
1st Week
Key Concepts
2nd Week
Chapter 1: American Culture and Identity
3rd Week
Chapter 3: African Americans: I don't sing other people's voices
4th Week
Chapter 4: In God We Trust? Religion in American Life
5th Week
Chapter 5: Approaches to Regionalism: The West and the South
6th Week
Midterm
7th Week
Chapter 6: The American City: The old knot of contrariety
8th Week
Chapter 7: Gender and Sexuality: To break the old circuits
9th Week
Chapter 8: Representing Youth: Outside the Sunken Nursery
10th Week
Chapter 9: The Spread of Freedom
11th Week
Chapter 10: The Transmission of American Culture
12th Week
Revision
RECOMENDED OR REQUIRED READING
Burgett, Bruce, and Glenn Hendler, eds. Keywords for American Cultural Studies. New York University Press, 2007.
Campbell, Neil, and Alasdair Kean. American Cultural Studies: An Introduction to American Culture. Routledge, 2016.
Dallman, Antje, Eva Boesenberg, and Martin Klepper, eds. Approaches to American Cultural Studies. Routledge, 2016.
PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Lecture,Discussion,Project,Questions/Answers
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
Quantity
Percentage(%)
Mid-term
1
30
Assignment
2
20
Attendance
1
10
Total(%)
60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)
60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)
40
Total(%)
100
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English
WORK PLACEMENT(S)
No
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES (KLO) / MATRIX OF LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO)