Course code and title: SFE20603 American Pluralism in the 20th Century
ECTS credits: 10
Category: Mandatory as part of the 90 ECTS specialization in English within the bachelor programme Society, Languages and Culture.
Prerequisites: Either the 60 ECTS credit module in English within the bachelor programme in Society, Languages and Culture, or the one-year module in English in the education programme, or equivalent education.
Semester/duration: Autumn semester
Objective: The course aims to give insight into the relationship between two of the most important characteristics of American society: cultural pluralism and a common national identity in the population. Further, the course aims at developing critical attitudes and independent thinking, as well as historical and literary analysis, and at laying the foundations for teaching English in upper secondary school. In an increasingly more pluralistic society in Norway and Europe the course will also contribute to a better understanding of national and ethnic identity, the relationship between these, and of tolerance of differences.
Content: The course makes use of both civilisation studies and literary texts. These are read in combination and provide a picture of the development from the perspective of society, groups and individuals. Lectures and seminars will discuss novels, accounts and historical and sociological texts from 1880 until today.
Organisation: Lectures and seminars. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment: A 4-hour written exam in addition to a 5-10 page essay. One final grade is awarded, on the A-F scale.
Required reading:
Three novels:
O. E. Rølvaag, The Boat of Longing
E. Galarza, Barrio Boy (1971)
A. Tan, The Joy Luck Club (1989)
Excerpts from historical analyses in the following works:
Seller, M. S. (1988), To Seek America: A History of Ethnic Life in the United States
Barkan, E. R. (1996), And Still They Come: Immigrants and American Society 1920 to the 1990s
Selected historical and sociological texts from:
Gjerde, J. (ed) (1998), Major Problems in American Immigration and Ethnic History 1920 to the 1990s: Documents and Essays
Additionally, a selection of historical and literary texts in a compendium (local print).
Course lecturer: Robert Mikkelsen