American Institutions

elective courses

An introductory course

The aim of this introductory course is to provide students with essential information about geography, political institutions, economy, education, media and life in the United States. The course retells the story of the birth of the United States, discusses its political institutions, nature of federalism, and some chosen aspects of a political-social life in the U.S.

The aim of this introductory course is to provide students with essential information about geography, political institutions, economy, education, media and life in the United States. The course retells the story of the birth of the United States, discusses its political institutions, nature of federalism, and some chosen aspects of a political-social life in the US Elements of history of the United States are introduced to the extent necessary for understanding the mechanisms of the US federal system and the character of the American society.

Topics for discussion:

1. Cultural-historical regions of America.

2. Geographic-economic regions of the US.

3. Federalism. The Constitution.

4. The US Congress.

5. The Office of President of the United States.

6. The Washington Administration.

7. Political parties.

8. Presidential elections.

9. Judicial and court system.

10. Education.

11. Mass media.

This class may include optional topics, like religion, immigration to colonial America and the United States, etc., in response to students' specific interests.

Terms and conditions:

- participation in class discussions,

- attendance, as required by the Institute of English Studies Rules and Regulations,

- presenting a selected topic in the class,

- semestral test.

Diniejko, Andrzej. An Introduction to the United States of America. Kraków: Wydawnictwo EGIS, 2005

Luedtke, Luther, S. (ed.). Making America. The Society and Culture of the United States. The University of North Carolina Press, 1992. /selected essays//

Magleby, David B., Light, Paul C. Government by the people. National edition. Pearson, 23rd edition, 2009

USIA: An Outline of American Geography

USIA: An Outline of American Government

primary source documents (laws, codes, official sites) available online

periodic handouts

BEFORE 2022/23

KNOWLEDGE students:

- know basics of American geography and economy

- know main political institutions of teh U.S.

- know main social institutions of the U.S.

SKILLS

- can explain geographic-economic-politacal inter-relations

- can analyse political institutions of the country

- can analyse social institutions of the country

ATTITUDES

- understand how the state functions

- responds adequately to information about and from the U.S.

- evaluates activities and policies of both political and social institutions

In class discussions students acquire skills of expressing their thoughts in a clear, coherent, logical and precise manner, with the use of language which is correct grammatically, lexically and phonetically.

Language training level: minimum B2+.

SINCE 2022/23

Knowledge: the graduate will be able to

K_W02 understand key terminology, well established methods and theories of American studies

K_W04 describe the relation between the USA today and historical and cultural processes

K_W09 identify on an advanced level the multiplicity of cultures and their complexity, cultural codes, as well as structural and institutional background of culture, with special focus on the United States

K_W10 describe on an advanced level the geography, history, politics, economy, as well as cultural and societal problems the United States

Abilities: the graduate is able to

K_U01 employ the terminology and methodological tools from cultural studies

K_U02 employ the methodology of cultural studies , respecting the ethical norms and copyright law

K_U03 analyze cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis with respect to the social, historical and economic context of the United States

K_U04 implement knowledge to describe a problem and identify means to solve it, thereby completing a project in American studies

K_U05 collect information from various sources, critically assess a source and usefulness of information; analyze and draw generalizations on the basis of information so obtained

K_U07 employ modern technology for the sake of obtaining information and using various communication channels and techniques

K_U08 plan and organize working alone and/or in a team to attain goals

K_U09 present knowledge and communicate in a cohesive, precise and linguistically correct manner in the English language at level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Social competences: the graduate is ready to

K_K02 undertake life-long learning and personal development, applying skills and competences to select subjects and projects optimally suiting one’s personal interests

K_K03 value responsibility for one’s own work and respect the work of others

K_K05 function effectively in social and cultural interactions, through various forms and media, thanks to the ability to express oneself in a cohesive and lucid manner

In class discussions students acquire skills of expressing their thoughts in a clear, coherent, logical and precise manner, with the use of language which is correct grammatically, lexically and phonetically.

Language training level: minimum B2+.

1. Presentation, participation in classroom discussions, test in the end of semester; retake: test; three absences allowed

2. On-line edition using Moodle IA, GoogleMeet, @uw.edu.pl

Assessment: as above

No