US history and culture for language teachers 4100-4SKIHUSDNJO
The main objective of the course is to provide students with general knowledge of American history and culture from pre-Columbian times to the present (focusing on the culture-shaping events and phenomena). It also presents key issues in American culture, crucial for understanding modern American identity. The applied comparative and transatlantic perspectives accentuate links between the home country of the learners and the USA, which develops intercultural competences and thus expands the didactic means of future teachers. The role of Poles in the development of the USA as well as the influence of the USA on Poland are noteworthy aspects of the course. Coursework leads to practical application in teaching English as a foreign language to learners in primary school.
Course content encompasses:
1. Native American civilizations
2. Contact between Europe and America: Geographical discoveries and exploration
3. The colonial era: Pocahontas/Jamestown/Plymouth/Thanksgiving
4. Struggle for independence and the American Constitution
5. Towards an empire
6. National symbols of the USA
7. The federal system of government, the division of powers, elections and political institutions
8.Overview of cultural regions and key geographical features of the USA
9. Education, religion and law enforcement
10. Basic concepts connected with ethnicity/race and an overview of waves of immigration to the US
11. Native Americans: their history and role in American culture; Black Americans: their history and role in American culture
12. Hispanics: overview of their presence and importance in the US; Asian Americans: overview of their presence and importance in the US
13. Poles in the American history and culture
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Mode
Learning outcomes
The graduate knows and understands:
K_W01 to an advanced degree selected facts, institutions, processes, and phenomena related to the study areas culture and religion studies, and history relevant to the field of studies - teaching foreign languages, which have practical application in teaching foreign languages in kindergartens and at the first and second educational stages or teaching social studies at the second educational stage
K_W02 essential terminology related to: history, culture and religion studies, relevant to teaching foreign languages
K_W05 the social structures and institutions in society and their relationships to one another with a particular emphasis on the USA
Graduate is able to:
K_U01 search, analyze, evaluate, select and use information, using a variety of sources and methods, in Polish and English and, optionally, in French or German
K_U02 independently plan and implement typical projects related to foreign language teaching environments (including kindergartens and primary schools) and other institutions related to teaching foreign languages
K_U13 prepare written work in English, relevant to their course of studies, at an appropriate academic level, on specific issues, using basic theoretical approaches and a variety of sources
K_U14 prepare, and deliver in public, oral presentations in another language, for specific purposes, using basic theoretical approaches, as well as a variety of sources
K_U15 speak and write consistently and precisely in English on topics related to educational matters, applying different theoretical approaches and using findings from other disciplines related to the field of studies
Graduate is ready to:
K_K01 pursue lifelong learning
K_K02 reflect on the level of their skills and knowledge, constantly develop professionally and personally, self-assess their competences, improve their skills, plan their development and training
K_K03 take responsibility for the promotion and preservation of the cultural heritage of the region, country and Europe (K_K03)
K_K08 participate in cultural life through the use of a variety of media
K_K09 undertake psychological, pedagogic and educational actions in kindergarten, school and out-of-school settings; is confident of their meaning and appropriateness, is ready to face professional challenges
Assessment criteria
The final grade is estimated on the basis of the sum of the points from the following components:
- group presentation grade - 30 points (very good content and technical/presentational side together with originally made materials – 30 p.; fair quality and content – 25 p.; basic quality and content, containing errors and mistakes – 20 p.; poor quality and multiple errors and mistakes – 0 p.) (KW_01,02,05,019; KU_01,02,14,17,20; K_K03,05, 08)
- final test covering the basic course content - 30 points (up to 30 p. - grade 5.0; up to 25 p. - grade 4.5; up to 20 p. - grade 4.0; above 15 pkt. - grade 3.0, below 15 p. - grade 2.0) (K_W01,02,05, K_U01)
- on-going observation and assessment of regular active involvement in classes (10 points) and on the platform (30 points for 5 mandatory tasks - each for max. 6 p.). Student is obliged to complete all platform assignments and tasks in the course of the classes. (KW_01, 02, 05; K_U01,17; K_K03, 08)
Attendance is obligatory, allowed is one absence.
Lack of presentation, required attendance level, failing the final test, obtaining less than 15 p. for platform tasks and scoring below 60 points for the entire course will result in failing the course.
Students earn max. 100 points for the course (up to 100 p. - grade 5.0; up to 90 p. - grade 4.5; up to 80 p. - grade 4.0; up to 70 p. - grade 3.5; up to 60 p. - grade 3.0, below 60 p. - grade 2.0).
Practical placement
Practical tasks resulting from the course can be applied during Teaching Practice.
Bibliography
Boyer, Paul S. American History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2012.
Lemert, Charles, ed. Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3rd ed. Boulder: Westview Press, 2004.
O'Callaghan, Bryn. An Illustrated History of the USA. Longman.
Mauk, David, and John Oakland. American Civilization: An Introduction. 5th ed. London: Routledge, 2009.
Rozbicki, Michał J., and Krzysztof Michałek, eds. A Selection of Sources on the History and Culture of the United States of America: From Colonization to 1945. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, 1994.
Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Boston: Back Bay Books, 1993.
Tindall, George B., and David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History. 2 vols. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996.
US History in Brief. https://photos.state.gov/libraries/amgov/30145/publications-english/learner_english.pdf
Khan Academy. pl.khanacademy.org
PBS. www.pbs.org
US History. www.ushistory.org
www.history.com
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: