Course Objectives The course is an introduction to the United States of America and its people. It provides an integrative view of American society, history, economics, media and culture. With a Russian student in mind, it challenges established ideas of what America is, indicates current trends and attempts to place in context the often fragmented information about the U.S. found in many textbooks and conveyed through the media. Discussions and student presentations will complement lectures and will stimulate comparative, intercultural perspectives. Texts Eckhard Fiedler et al., America in Close-Up, Longman Course Outline Introduction to American Culture. American regions Week 2 American ValuesWeek 3Test 1:
Lectures 1-2Week 4The US Economy and Social StructureWeek 5The US Political SystemWeek 6The US Legal SystemWeek 7Religion in the USAWeek 8Test 2: Lectures 3-6Week 9EducationWeek 10American PeopleWeek 11Private Life in the USAWeek 12Test 3: Lectures 6-9 Media: Newspapers and Television Architecture and Arts in the USA Final Test |