American Culture
Christopher J. Armstrong

Office: Building 14, Room 224
Telephone: 6224 / 052-835-7378
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2nd period and Thursdays, 4th period
Students in this course will learn about the history and culture of the United States from the colonial period until the late 20th century. Audio-visual presentations will supplement class lectures. The final weeks of the course will focus on contemporary culture and media in the US. All lectures will be given in English.

Course Objectives:
In this class, you will

  1. improve your listening and reading skills;
  2. learn about the cultural history of the United States;
  3. practice skills useful for TOEIC and TOEFL tests.

Textbook:

Bryn O’Callaghan. An Illustrated History of the United States. Longman, 2003.

Course Evaluation:

Weekly Tests 60%
Final Exam 40%

Important Information:

  1. Regular attendance is important. You cannot miss more than 3 classes.
  2. We will have a short test each week. Missed tests cannot be done later.
  3. Each week, there will be about 4 pages of reading from the textbook.
    There will be a short test on the reading. The tests will focus on important facts
    and ideas in the readings as well as your understanding of the information.
    Missed tests cannot be done later.
  4. For the final exam, you will write a short essay on a topic that you will choose from a list. Details will be available later in the semester.

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Schedule of Course Topics and Homework

Week 1
(September 25th)
Course Introduction: Syllabus, questionnaire, and writing sample
  • Please bring a passport-size photograph of yourself next week (color or black & white). Write your name and student number on the back.
Week 2
(October 2nd)
Lecture 1: 1600-1800, Colonial Life and American Independence

Check your answers to Lecture 1 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'The First Americans'

Test on ‘The First Americans,’ pages 4-7

Reading for week 3: ‘Colonial Life in America,’ pages 20-23

Week 3
(October 9th)
Lecture 2: The Early 1800s, Westward Expansion and Industrialization

Check your answers to Lecture 2 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'Colonial Life'

Test on ‘Colonial Life in America,’ pages 20-23

Reading for week 4: ‘West to the Pacific,’ pages 40-43

Week 4
(October 16th)
Lecture 3: 1860-1870, Civil War and Reconstruction

Check your answers to Lecture 3 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'West to the Pacific'

Test on ‘West to the Pacific,’ pages 40-43

Reading for week 5: ‘Reconstruction, ’ pages 54-57

Week 5
(October 23rd)
Lecture 4: The Late 1800s, Assimilation and Immigration

Check your answers to Lecture 4 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'Reconstruction'

Test on ‘Reconstruction, ’ pages 54-57

Reading for week 6: ‘The Amerindians’ Last Stand,’ pages 66-71

Week 6 (October 30th) Lecture 5: The 1920s and 1930s, Boom and Bust

Check your answers to Lecture 5 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'The Amerindians' Last Stand'

Test on ‘The Amerindians’ Last Stand,’ pages 66-71

Reading for week 7: ‘Crash and Depression,’ pages 96-99

Week 7 (November 6th) Lecture 6: The 1940s and 1950s, Hot and Cold Wars

Check your answers to Lecture 6 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'Crash and Depression'

Test on ‘Crash and Depression,’ pages 96-99

Reading for week 8: ‘Cold War and Korea,’ pages 116-119

Week 8 (November 13th) Lecture 7: The 1960s and 1970s, Changing Times

Check your answers to Lecture 7 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'Cold War and Korea'

Test on ‘Cold War and Korea,’ pages 116-119

Reading for week 9: ‘Black Americans,’ pages 112-115

Week 9 (November 20th) Special Topic
Lecture 8:
Contemporary America, 1980-2000

Check your answers to Lecture 8 Comprehension Questions.

Listen to the Podcast on 'Black Americans'

Test on ‘Black Americans,’ pages 112-115

Week 10 (November 27th) Special Topic
Lecture 9: Contemporary America, 1980-2000

Check your answers to Lecture 9 Comprehension Questions.

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Workshop on essay writing

Week 11 (December 4th)

Special Topic
Lecture 10: Contemporary America, 1980-2000

Check your answers to Lecture 10 Comprehension Questions.

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Test make-up: Write or Re-write one in-class test from weeks 2-9.

Week 12 (December 11th) Special Topic
Lecture 11: Contemporary America, 1980-2000

Check your answers to Lecture 11 Comprehension Questions.

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Workshop on final exam preparation

Week 13 (December 18th) Special Topic
Lecture 11: Contemporary America, 1980-2000

Check your answers to Lecture 11 Comprehension Questions.

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Workshop on final exam preparation

Week 14 (January 8th) Final Exam

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