History and Culture of English Speaking Countries: Module 2 - Culture of English Speaking Countries 2 (Culture of the USA) Field of study: English Philology
Programme code: W1-S1FA19.2021

Module name: History and Culture of English Speaking Countries: Module 2 - Culture of English Speaking Countries 2 (Culture of the USA)
Module code: W1-FA-SKX-S1-KAO2-3
Programme code: W1-S1FA19.2021
Semester:
  • winter semester 2025/2026
  • winter semester 2024/2025
  • winter semester 2023/2024
  • winter semester 2022/2023
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: course work
ECTS credits: 3
Description:
The module Culture of English speaking countries 2 (Culture of the USA) aims to familiarise the students with the issues concerning American culture, its specificity and directions in development. During the course, comprehensive knowledge of culture is provided, from the skills concerning the analysis of terminology connected with cultural studies, through text analysis, the features of various communication codes from different subfields of culture, to the awareness of the mechanisms operating within governmental and cultural institutions, and to the comprehension of key processes that shape human identity and their importance to the multicultural society. Special emphasis is placed on the contemporary social, political and cultural situation in the USA.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of the first year of studies.
Key reading:
Specified in the syllabus.
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
The student adopts a positive attitude of acceptance, respect, and tolerance towards other peoples and members of different ethnic and social groups [SKX-S1-KAO2_K1]
 FA1_K07 [3/5]
is able to apply his knowledge of the culture of the English-speaking countries to the analysis of both historical and contemporary manifestations of culture; he can analyse and interpret cultural phenomena, as well as make some observation and analysis of these phenomena and draw conclusions using proper terminology connected with cultural studies. [SKX-S1-KAO2_U1]
 FA1_U04 [2/5] FA1_U12 [3/5] FA1_U15 [2/5]
recognises and analyses historical and contemporary phenomena of American culture. [SKX-S1-KAO2_U2]
 FA1_U04 [3/5]
discusses the culture of the English-speaking countries in a broad intercultural context, as well as in the context of moulding the American identities [SKX-S1-KAO2_U3]
 FA1_U04 [2/5] FA1_U15 [2/5]
knows the definition and meaning of the term “culture,” is aware of its complexity; knows the range, specificity, and aspects of cultural studies, as well as some basic terminology connected with cultural studies, and a collection of cultural texts. [SKX-S1-KAO2_W1]
 FA1_W03 [3/5] FA1_W07 [3/5] FA1_W08 [2/5]
is familiar with basic aesthetic categories, knows the features of communication codes from different subfields of art, for instance: film, painting; knows and recognises different trends in American art, their features and relation to American culture; has some knowledge of historical processes of culture formation in various contexts, as well as of the influence of culture on American identity; has organised knowledge of the most important historical and contemporary American trends in art and culture. [SKX-S1-KAO2_W2]
 FA1_W02 [2/5] FA1_W04 [2/5] FA1_W15 [3/5]
knows the mechanisms of functioning of the American governmental, cultural, and social institutions. [SKX-S1-KAO2_W3]
 FA1_W04 [2/5] FA1_W06 [2/5] FA1_W08 [2/5]
knows about the problematic issue of social stratification, minority groups and their participation in the American multicultural society [SKX-S1-KAO2_W4]
 FA1_W07 [3/5] FA1_W08 [2/5] FA1_W12 [2/5]
Type Description Codes of the learning outcomes of the module to which assessment is related
Test or tests [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_1]
Test or tests verifying the students' knowledge of topics related to American culture
 SKX-S1-KAO2_K1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U2 SKX-S1-KAO2_U3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W1 SKX-S1-KAO2_W2 SKX-S1-KAO2_W3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W4
Control interview (optional) [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_2]
The assessment of student’s preparation for classes is carried out on a continuous basis throughout the duration of the module. The final grade can concern student’s knowledge of the text assigned for a given class and of his awareness of problems and issues already discussed during the course.
 SKX-S1-KAO2_K1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U2 SKX-S1-KAO2_U3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W1 SKX-S1-KAO2_W2 SKX-S1-KAO2_W3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W4
Essay, essays, or other written assignments, or student presentations [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_3]
Written assignment or presentation verifying the students' knowledge of topics related to American culture and the application of this knowledge in the analysis of contemporary cultural phenomena
 SKX-S1-KAO2_K1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U1 SKX-S1-KAO2_U2 SKX-S1-KAO2_U3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W1 SKX-S1-KAO2_W2 SKX-S1-KAO2_W3 SKX-S1-KAO2_W4
Form of teaching Student's own work Assessment of the learning outcomes
Type Description (including teaching methods) Number of hours Description Number of hours
practical classes [KAO-S1-KAOJ2-3_fs_1]
Discussion on the basis of a short introductory lecture, a text of culture, or a film or other materials. - Film projection: material analysis, delineation of historical context, assessment. - Text analysis: with reference to time and cultural frame - Material analysis, practicing skills in placing materials in appropriate cultural contexts
 30
Reading of compulsory and additional texts in the range of a given subject area Preparation for tests
 60 Test or tests [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_1] Control interview (optional) [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_2] Essay, essays, or other written assignments, or student presentations [SKX-S1-KAO2_w_3]
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)