Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Lingue e Letterature straniere e Culture moderne

NORTH AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS

NORTH AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS

Anno accademico 2023/2024

Sommario insegnamento

• Obiettivi formativi
• Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi
• Programma
• Modalità di insegnamento
• Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
• Strumenti didattici
• Scheda del corso

Obiettivi formativi

The goal is to put students in the condition to understand the key moments in the history of the United States of America, from the revolutionary period to the end of so-called Reconstruction. They will learn about different approaches and methodologies that historians customarily refer to: social history, intellectual history, material culture history. 

The learning objectives:

1. Help students to grasp the importance of gender, class, and race issues;

2. Help students to develop the appropriate sensibility and intellectual expectations when interrogating the past;

3. Help students to assess the difference between events and processes;

4. Help students to realize that the past is always "unpredictable," and that it can be construed and re-construed along different narratives;

5. Help students to acquire the skills necessary to communicate results;

6. Introduce students to the following ideas: archive, primary source, and secondary source.

Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi

Students are expected to internalize the basic notions of the political, cultural, and intellectual life of the United States of America. They will become familiar with those leading concepts, practices, and habits that have shaped the American national experience. Furthermore, they will increase their ability to read texts, written and non-written, that Americans characterize as specifically "American." Also, students will be able to place such texts within their appropriate context. 

Programma

The course focuses upon the institutional outline and the intellectual background of the United States of America, from the Early Republic to the age of Reconstruction. Students will discuss pivotal concepts, such as "Republic," "nation" and "nationhood," "pursuit of happiness," "freedom," and "democracy." Particular attention will be dedicated to the national social setting, including the North-South divide, the problem of chattel slavery, and the dynamics of gender ralations.

The class, fully taught in English, will be organized as a "flipped class": students will take the lead and make in-person presentations (PowerPoint or otherwise). The presentation is not mandatory, but it's strongly encouraged. After the presentation, a discussion will take place. The active participation in the discussion will become part of the students' final evaluation.

Modalità di insegnamento

The class will be taught in English. Rather than the traditional "top-down" lecture (whereby the teacher sits in the chair and gives speeches prepared beforehand, or reads from written texts), students will participate in many discussions. They will listen to the teacher, as expected and appropriate; but they will talk and participate a lot. Picture this class as a seminar rather than a set of lectures.

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Students will take a final written exam, in person. Students who have been active participants during class (because they have given a presentation and talked regularly) will answer one (open) question. (For example: "The creation of the U.S. Constitution.") Those who didn't give a presentation, decided to remain quiet, or didn't attend at least 50% of our scheduled meetings (for whatever personal reason) will answer two questions. 

The text, Eric Foner's Give Me Liberty!, is the standard text employed by nearly 90% of American college students. It's very good and up to date. It presents a reliable source of primary and secondary materials.

Insegnamenti che mutuano questo insegnamento

• STORIA E ISTITUZIONI DELLE AMERICHE MAGISTRALE (LIN0378)
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