LET-ETCAMB108
Introduction to American Cultural Studies
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleLET-ETCAMB108
Credits (ECTS)5
CategoryB1 (First year bachelor)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Arts; English Language and Culture;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
N. Engelen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
N. Engelen
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
N. Engelen
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
N. Engelen
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2022
Period
PER 1-PER 2  (05/09/2022 to 29/01/2023)
Starting block
PER 1
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
At the end of the course, you will have:
  • acquired a familiarity with the field of American Cultural Studies
  • acquired an understanding of the meaning(s), development, and usages of a variety of key concepts in the field of (North) American Studies;
  • acquainted yourself with major issues and themes in the culture and cultural history of the United States
  • obtained experience with the practice of working in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field;
learned to formulate your ideas in correct written English.
Content
This entry-level course offers a concise introduction to American Cultural Studies through an exploration of major issues and themes in the culture and cultural history of the United States from the colonial period to the present. As such, the course will introduce you to a range of key concepts such as colonialism, indigeneity, the frontier, the West, nation-building, regionalism, identity, the American dream, exceptionalism, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, queer, anti-Americanism, cultural memory, etc. These topics will be studied and illustrated by means of a textbook as well as a range of primary materials drawn from the realms of history, politics, culture, literature, visual art, music, and other media. Through oral and written assignments, you will learn to use the required conceptual tools to study these materials effectively and academically.
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information

Specifics

Required materials
Book
Title:American Cultural Studies: An Introduction to American Culture
Author:Neil Campbell & Alisdair Kean
Publisher:Routledge, 2016
Edition:4
Book
ISBN:9780393264517
Title:The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Shorter Ninth Edition (two volume set)
Author:Nina Baym, et al. (ed.)

Instructional modes
Lecture
Attendance MandatoryYes

Seminar
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Paper
Test weight30
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 1, Block PER 2

Minimum grade
5,5

Exam take home
Test weight50
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 2, Block PER 3

Minimum grade
5,5

Continuous assessment
Test weight20
Test typeParticipation
OpportunitiesBlock PER 2, Block PER 2

Minimum grade
6,0