COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

American Culture and Literature (English)

Level of Course Unit

Third Cycle Programmes (Doctorate Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IŞIL ÖZCAN

Offered to

American Culture and Literature (English)

Course Objective

This course introduces graduate students to a variety of theoretical approaches in the study of American Studies: from Myth and Symbol school onwards.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Recomended or Required Reading

Philip J. Deloria, Broadway and Main: Crossroads, Ghost Roads, and Paths to an American
Studies Future
American Quarterly, Volume 61, Number 1, March 2009, pp. 1-25 (Article)
Judith Halberstam, Beyond Broadway and Main: A Response to the Presidential Address
American Quarterly, Volume 61, Number 1, March 2009, pp. 33-38 (Article)
Yu-Fang Cho,Domesticating the Aliens Within: Sentimental Benevolence in Late
Nineteenth-
Century California Magazines American Quarterly, Volume 61, Number 1, March
2009,
pp. 113-136 (Article)
Jay Mechling, Mind, Messages, and Madness. Gregory Bateson Makes a Paradigm for
American Culture Studies
Gene Wise, From `American Studies to American Culture Studies: a Dialogue Across
Generations 1979
Gene Wise, Some Elementary Axioms for an American Culture Studies 1977. etc.
Henry Nash Smith, The Virgin Land, (1967)
Leo Marx, The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Idea in America (1967

A core curriculum book list and
an updated contemporary publications list in the area
will be provided with the class syllabus prior to each semseter.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1) All selected teaching material; written and visual are notified prior to the semester.
However during the semester syllabi maybe altered with due notice.
2) Students are expected to attend class prepared for a rigorous class discussion.
3) All assigned homework and book reports are due prior to the start of each class session.
4) Late papers will recieve a reduction in grade.
5) Students are expected to abide by the academic code of ethics.

Assessment Methods

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

Midterm in class exam: will cover material studied in-class, and will expect responses to major discussions in the area. Prior to the submission of the final paper students will submit their proposal, and paper drafts at due times indicated in the syllabus. Book reports : Students will be expected to elucidate upon major arguments of their assigned books; offer a critical examination of the text, and place the work within contemporary debates. Book reports will be presented in class as well as submitted in print format . Two book reports will constitute part of the total grade which will add up to the in class exam, to be counted towards the Midterm grade. Research paper : (10 pages minimum in MLA style) A Final paper should focus upon a major issue in American culture displaying an understanding of past, and present methodologies in the area of American
Studies contributing to the process of meaning making. The topic of analysis should display thorough and proper scholarship, abiding by academic standards of research and ethics. Final in-class exam : will cover material studied in-class, and will expect responses to major discussions in the area. Weekly book presentations and subsequent class discussions enable active participation into class (Homework assignments and presentation guidelines will be further provided in the syllabus )

Assessment Criteria

1) Book reports are expected to display accurate understanding of reading assignments; and to display rigorous academic research placing the work into critical perspective.
2) Book reports are submitted in written to the class instructor prior to due class discussions/presentations
3) Paper proposals should display the aim and scope of the research to be conducted.
4) Paper proposals should be inclusive of an annotated bibliography.
5) Paper proposals are submitted in written to the class instructor at due date.
6) Paper draft assessment monitors student progress during research, and offers guidance.
7) Final paper projects are expected to display genuine synthesis of theoretical material along issues proposed.
8) Final paper projects should be inclusive of a bibliography page.
9) Final paper projects should be submitted in MLA format.
10)Final paper projects, all class assignments, and conduct should abide by academic rules of ethics.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1.Class attendance is compulsory (%70)
2. Students who have already fulfilled attendance but have failed the course at an earlier semester, and are held exempt from participation to the class, will be expected to stay updated with the current semester's course content, as it may be subject to alteration.
3.All student conduct, projects, class assignments, should adhere with academic rules of ethics

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

Faculty of Letters

Office Hours

To be announced

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes