Culture and Literature: Module 1 - History of American Literature Field of study: English Philology
Programme code: W1-S1FA19.2021

Module name: Culture and Literature: Module 1 - History of American Literature
Module code: W1-FA-TX-S1-HLA-5
Programme code: W1-S1FA19.2021
Semester:
  • winter semester 2026/2027
  • winter semester 2025/2026
  • winter semester 2024/2025
  • winter semester 2023/2024
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 3
Description:
The aim of the lectures is to familiarize participating students with the history of American literature from the seventeenth century to the present day. The lectures outline the sequence and emphasize the distinctive features of the dominant literary and cultural trends in American history, illustrating the above in the context of analyses of selected canonical (literary and para-literary) texts, representative for each period. They also explain the mechanisms of historical change in American culture, linking the discussed texts with the key phenomena and figures of note, who exerted a significant impact on its evolution and effectively rendered it unique on a global scale. Lectures are complemented with workshop/conversatorium-type seminars, focusing on the analyses and interpretations of selected canonical texts of American literature.
Prerequisites:
None.
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]
is aware of the influence of literary phenomena on the development of the language and the American identity and understands the need to develop his or her knowledge in the field of American literature. [TX-S1_HLA_K1]
 FA1_K01 [3/5] FA1_K05 [3/5]
understands the basic causal relations between subsequent literary periods and the main cultural currents within these periods, and is able to demonstrate his or her understanding of these relations in various forms of the verification of knowledge. [TX-S1_HLA_U1]
 FA1_U03 [2/5]
is able to identify the key literary texts, distinguish their most characteristic elements, as well as indicate the distinctive traits of the currents, which they represent. [TX-S1_HLA_U2]
 FA1_U02 [2/5] FA1_U03 [2/5]
demonstrates the basic skills of analysis and interpretation of literary texts. Understands the basic methods of their critical analysis. [TX-S1_HLA_U3]
 FA1_U04 [2/5] FA1_U06 [1/5]
Is able to identify and interpret the key fragments of texts and is able use them as arguments supporting the interpretation of a given text as an element of American culture. [TX-S1_HLA_U4]
 FA1_U05 [2/5] FA1_U06 [2/5] FA1_U15 [2/5]
Possesses the basic knowledge of American literature (from the 17th century to the present day). [TX-S1_HLA_W1]
 FA1_W05 [3/5] FA1_W10 [2/5]
knows the most representative texts and the most influential American authors and is able to identify their relationship with the periods in which they were writing. [TX-S1_HLA_W2]
 FA1_W04 [2/5] FA1_W05 [2/5] FA1_W15 [2/5]
knows the basic relationships between cultural currents, social currents, historical phenomena and their influence on the main works of American literature (from the 17th century to the present day). [TX-S1_HLA_W3]
 FA1_W10 [2/5] FA1_W15 [2/5]
Type Description Codes of the learning outcomes of the module to which assessment is related
Examination [TX-S1_HLA_w_1]
Verification of the student's knowledge of the development of American literature (from the 17th century to the present day), the most important trends in American literary and cultural history, the most influential figures contributing to the development of American literature, and the most influential texts of the literary periods covered in class - carried out in the form determined in the syllabus of the module.
 TX-S1_HLA_K1 TX-S1_HLA_U1 TX-S1_HLA_U2 TX-S1_HLA_U3 TX-S1_HLA_U4 TX-S1_HLA_W1 TX-S1_HLA_W2 TX-S1_HLA_W3
Test or tests [TX-S1_HLA_w_2]
Written or oral assignment on the texts from American literature covered during the course and on the relationship between them and the most important cultural and literary trends.
 TX-S1_HLA_K1 TX-S1_HLA_U1 TX-S1_HLA_U2 TX-S1_HLA_U3 TX-S1_HLA_U4 TX-S1_HLA_W1 TX-S1_HLA_W2 TX-S1_HLA_W3
Individual or group projects (optional) [TX-S1_HLA_w_3]
Verification of the student's knowledge of the texts from American literature covered during the course (from the 17th century to the present day), of the relationships among them, and of the most important aesthetic in American culture - carried out in the form determined in the syllabus of the module
 TX-S1_HLA_K1 TX-S1_HLA_U3 TX-S1_HLA_U4
Form of teaching Student's own work Assessment of the learning outcomes
Type Description (including teaching methods) Number of hours Description Number of hours
lecture [TX-S1_HLA_fs_1]
Lecture delivered in English (with the support of audio-visual materials).
 15
Self study based on materials provided by the instructor and on notes taken during the lectures. Reading assigned texts and watching assigned videoclips (mandatory and optional). Preparation for the examination to be carried out in the form specified in the syllabus of the module.
 15 Examination [TX-S1_HLA_w_1]
practical classes [TX-S1_HLA_fs_2]
1. Individual work with texts 2. Pairwork 3. Groupwork 4. General discussion
 30
Individual work with assigned texts. Realization of homework assignments. Preparation for class discussions. Preparation for individual and group projects. Preparation for the verification of knowledge in the form specified in the syllabus of the module.
 30 Test or tests [TX-S1_HLA_w_2] Individual or group projects (optional) [TX-S1_HLA_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)