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Titel
5
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The US - its history, culture and literature (EXAM
Introduction: For this course, we will explore the USA, its history, culture, and literature. The course is structured around five units, each with its own introduction and primary sources.
Unit 1: America before the English: In this unit, we explore what life was like for the Native American tribes and how they understood identity, land, and belonging
Unit 2: English settlement in America: In this unit, we explore the early stages of English colonization in North America.
Unit 3: The history of the USA: This unit explores key moments in the history of the United States, moments that helped shape the nation’s identity and its commitment to freedom and democracy.
Unit 4: Racism, the American Dream, and Illusive Equality: This unit explores key themes in American history and literature, focusing on racism, the pursuit of the American Dream, and the idea of equality. Through the works of influential authors and leaders, we will examine how these themes have shaped American society.
Unit 5: The Political system, civil religion and polarization: This unit explores the American political system, the concept of civil religion as well as polarization in America, focusing on the ideals of democracy, freedom, and equality
Materials:
• Introductions to the five units
• “Native American tribes and their traditions”
• John Winthrop: “A City Upon a Hill” (1620, sermon)
• Howard Fast: “Spoil the Child” (1938, short story)
• The Declaration of Independence (1776) (extract)
• The United States Constitution (signed 1787, ratified 1789)
• Abraham Lincoln: “The Gettysburg Address” (1863, speech)
• Emma Lazarus: “The New Colossus” (1883, poem)
• Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird (1960, excerpt of a novel)
• Martin Luther King: “I Have a Dream” (1963, speech extract)
• Francis Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby (1923, excerpt of a novel)
• J. D. Sallinger: Catcher in the Rye (1950, excerpt of a novel)
• “The American political system”
• “An American Civil Religion”
• “Professor Robert Putnam on polarization in America”
• Barack Obama: “Yes We Can” (2008, speech)
• Donald Trump: “Save America” (2021, speech)
Samlet omfang: ca. 100 sider
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