INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE U.S.A.
A COMPULSORY SURVEY COURSE FOR THIRD-YEAR BA STUDENTS
LECTURER: ASSOC. PROF. DR. ALEXANDRA GLAVANAKOVA
This course is an introduction to the history, culture, and science of the U.S. from the first settlers to the present day. It offers an interdisciplinary investigation into American history, culture, and identity. Its main purpose is to study the basic trends, periods and historical figures in American history, the development of a unique culture. It covers a wide range of topics organized around several central themes.
Firstly, it examines the changing dimensions of American identity, paying close attention to the roles of race, ethnicity, religion, region, class, politics, ideology, and gender in defining “American-ness.” At the same time, as a way of raising the question of what it means to be “American,” the course investigates the gaps between America as it imagines itself and America as it is. Because the tension between American ideals and American realities becomes most visible during historical or cultural crises, several such moments of conflict will be ex-amined.
The course begins with the recognition that as a nation of immigrants – willing or not – and of conquered peoples, the United States has always encom-passed diverse racial and ethnic groups in encounter and conflict. It builds on the Americans’ participation in a larger ideological heritage, shaped by ideals of democracy, liberalism and equality that have been affirmed in major political movements and articulated in art, literature, music, and films.
Thirdly, it examines American capitalism, looking at it through the lens of indus-trial growth and decline, labor and immigration, the environment, consumerism, government power, and globalization. This has also been a society of endless change, owing to transformations wrought by geographical expansion, democ-racy, industrialization, urbanization, and the pressures of war and international politics.
Fourthly, it examines American power in the world, focusing on its rise in the late 19th century through the 20th century, on its uses from westward expansion through recent wars, and on its meanings for American culture, politics, and society within a global context.
To all of these ends, the course draws upon traditional kinds of historical narra-tives. Yet, it also incorporates mass media, technological innovation, popular culture as a way to provide a diversity in the American history survey. Through lectures, readings, discussions, films, and tests, students will not only explore the changing contours of American life, but they will also have the opportunity to develop as researchers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.
A COMPULSORY SURVEY COURSE FOR THIRD-YEAR BA STUDENTS
LECTURER: ASSOC. PROF. DR. ALEXANDRA GLAVANAKOVA
This course is an introduction to the history, culture, and science of the U.S. from the first settlers to the present day. It offers an interdisciplinary investigation into American history, culture, and identity. Its main purpose is to study the basic trends, periods and historical figures in American history, the development of a unique culture. It covers a wide range of topics organized around several central themes.
Firstly, it examines the changing dimensions of American identity, paying close attention to the roles of race, ethnicity, religion, region, class, politics, ideology, and gender in defining “American-ness.” At the same time, as a way of raising the question of what it means to be “American,” the course investigates the gaps between America as it imagines itself and America as it is. Because the tension between American ideals and American realities becomes most visible during historical or cultural crises, several such moments of conflict will be ex-amined.
The course begins with the recognition that as a nation of immigrants – willing or not – and of conquered peoples, the United States has always encom-passed diverse racial and ethnic groups in encounter and conflict. It builds on the Americans’ participation in a larger ideological heritage, shaped by ideals of democracy, liberalism and equality that have been affirmed in major political movements and articulated in art, literature, music, and films.
Thirdly, it examines American capitalism, looking at it through the lens of indus-trial growth and decline, labor and immigration, the environment, consumerism, government power, and globalization. This has also been a society of endless change, owing to transformations wrought by geographical expansion, democ-racy, industrialization, urbanization, and the pressures of war and international politics.
Fourthly, it examines American power in the world, focusing on its rise in the late 19th century through the 20th century, on its uses from westward expansion through recent wars, and on its meanings for American culture, politics, and society within a global context.
To all of these ends, the course draws upon traditional kinds of historical narra-tives. Yet, it also incorporates mass media, technological innovation, popular culture as a way to provide a diversity in the American history survey. Through lectures, readings, discussions, films, and tests, students will not only explore the changing contours of American life, but they will also have the opportunity to develop as researchers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.
- Teacher: Александра Главанакова
- Teacher: Адела Миролевска