SFE11320 English: American Culture (Spring 2023)
Facts about the course
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages
- Campus:
- Online based with the possibility of campus instruction and supervision
- Course Leader:
- Charles Paul Keeling
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- ½ year
The course is connected to the following study programs
Mandatory course in the one-year English programme.
Obligatory course in the 60 ECTS part of the Bachelor's Programme in Languages for students with English as one of their chosen languages.
Lecture Semester
One-year English programme: 2nd semester (spring). Bachelor's Programme in Languages: 2nd or 4th semester (autumn).
The student's learning outcomes after completing the course
Knowledge
The student has:
-
knowledge and understanding of American culture and society
-
knowledge of academic conventions regarding essay writing in English
Skills
The student:
-
has analytical and critical skills in his or her encounters with historical and cultural texts
-
is capable of studying cultural texts in the context of their history
-
has improved his or her skills in written argumentation and oral discussions in English
-
is capable of using the MLA style of referencing
General competence
The student:
-
is capable of independent and critical thinking in the analysis of American culture and social phenomena
-
masters research techniques in searching, evaluating and using secondary literature on the internet and in the university college's library
Content
The course is a wide-ranging review of the development of American history and culture from the founding of the USA until the present, with a main focus on the 1900s. Topics covered include the beginnings of the U.S., its political structure, issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and various other related subjects. The textbook will be supplemented by newspaper articles and other cultural texts. We will alos spend time devolping skills in research, analysis and essay writing.
Forms of teaching and learning
Teaching varies between online and physical lectures, seminars, talks and activities in small groups. The students are expected to read the course material every week and take active part in classroom or online discussions and group assignments. Students are encouraged to study in groups where they can go through the literature and work together on assignments outside the scheduled teaching sessions. Each student is required to keep their webcamera and microphone turned on when participating in online classes.
Workload
Approx. 280 hours.
Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam
-
One individual written assignment with an extent of 3-4 pages.
Required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam.
Examination
An individual written home exam (5 hours).
All aids permitted, except communication and collaboration between candidates.
Grading scale A-F.
Examiners
One external and one internal examiner or two internal examiners.
Course evaluation
Feedback from our students is vital in order for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. The course is evaluated every semester.
The results are considered by/in teacher groups, the head of studies and the local programme committee.