Course: Selected Chapters from American Culture

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Course title Selected Chapters from American Culture
Course code KAA/AS00
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Janebová Markéta, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Livingstone David, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Peprník Michal, prof. PhDr. Dr.
  • Flajšarová Pavlína, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Curriculum: The end of the world has been a persistent topic in multiple genres throughout history, ranging from religious prophecies and political propaganda to dystopian literature, adventure stories and fantasy fiction and, sadly, also to scientific research and visions of ecological catastrophe. In the seminar we will discuss various literary works from the 20th and 21st century. Among the novels we will read, there may be John Wyndham?s The Day of the Triffids, John Brunner?s The Sheep Look Up, Kurt Vonnegut?s Galapagos, and Emily St. John Mandel?s Station Eleven. I am open to suggestions ? within limits, e.g. there will be no Zombie apocalypses in this seminar. It is quite possible that we will also watch one or two movies.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 25 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 25 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 24 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
AS00, winter semester2025/26, The End is Nigh: Apocalyptic Literature, prof. Dirk Vanderbeke, block course. Dates: 16-17.10.2025 6.-7.11.2025 11.-12.12.2025 (2 sessions on Thursdays 15-18.15, 2 sessions on Fridays 9.45-13.00) Venue: Room 2.25 (Meeting room - "zasedací místnost děkanátu", underneath the English dept.) Intended audience: BA and MA students. Only students who have taken the Introduction to the Study of Literature (or an equivalent) are eligible. Curriculum: The end of the world has been a persistent topic in multiple genres throughout history, ranging from religious prophecies and political propaganda to dystopian literature, adventure stories and fantasy fiction and, sadly, also to scientific research and visions of ecological catastrophe. In the seminar we will discuss various literary works from the 20th and 21st century. Among the novels we will read, there may be John Wyndham?s The Day of the Triffids, John Brunner?s The Sheep Look Up, Kurt Vonnegut?s Galapagos, and Emily St. John Mandel?s Station Eleven. I am open to suggestions ? within limits, e.g. there will be no Zombie apocalypses in this seminar. It is quite possible that we will also watch one or two movies. The texts will be provided before the beginning of the semester. Requirements: Reading, attendance, active participation. Credits will be obtained by writing a short term paper (6-8 pages). The use of AI is not permitted.

Prerequisites
Only students who have taken the Introduction to the Study of Literature (or an equivalent) are eligible.

Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam, Student performance

Course attendance, reading, active participation in seminar discussion, essay
Recommended literature
  • Appell, Glenn, and David Hemphill. (2005). American Popular Music: A Multicultural History . Belmont, CA.
  • Crawford, Richard. (2005). America's Musical Life: A History. New York.
  • George-Warren, Holly, and Patricia Romanowski, eds. (2001). The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll. New York.
  • Chafe, William H. (2007). The Unfinished Journey: America Since World War II. New York.
  • Maier, Pauline, Merritt Roe Smith, Alexander Keyssar, and Daniel Kevles. (2002). Inventing America: A History of the United States. Vol. 1.. New York.
  • Nash, Gary B., gen. ed. (2006). The American People : Creating a Nation and a Society. New York.
  • Peprník, Jaroslav. (2003). A Guide to the USA II.. Olomouc.
  • Peprník, Jaroslav. (2004). A Guide to the USA I.. Olomouc.
  • Starr, Larry, and . (2009). American Popular Music: From Minstrelsy to MP3. New York.
  • Tick, Judith, ed. (2008). Music in the USA: A Documentary Companion. New York.
  • Urdan, Laurence, ed. (1996). The Timetables of American History. New York.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2020) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English for Translators and Interpreters (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English for Translators and Interpreters (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -