Course Syllabus
Week 1. September, 5.
Introduction to the course.
Week 2. September, 12.
Historical Regions of the USA. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 1, texts 1, 2, 3. A letter from Christopher Columbus to the Queen and King of Spain.
Recommended texts:
• A Brief History of the USA
Week 3. September, 19.
Towards the city on the hill. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 1, texts 4, 5. The Paris Peace Treaty of 1783.
Recommended texts:
• The Causes of the American Revolution (from "About the U.S." pp. 52-53)
• The Declaration of Independence
Week 4. September, 26.
The Regional Geography of the USA. The Census Bureau regions and commonly adopted division of the country. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 2, texts 1, 2, 3. Themes and regions from "An Outline of American Geography".
Recommended sites:
• Explore the States
Presentation # 1, 2
Using the interactive map on the site choose and explore any state, and look for the answers to the following questions:
• When did it become a state?
• What is its nickname/seal/motto/song?
• Where is it situated?
• What is it famous for?
• What are the main natural, historic, or recreational attractions of the state?
• Mention some interesting facts from the history of the state
Week 5. October, 3.
Cultural Regions of the USA. Northeast: New England - the educational center of the USA. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 1, texts 1, 2. The Ivy League Schools.
Presentation # 3
Search for the information on Harvard University on the following sites:
• Harvard University
• Harvard University - Definition and Overview
Present its motto and the date of establishment; describe its location, campus, people, traditions and festivals, sport teams, recent acceptance rates, etc. After completing your research, create a Power Point Presentation illustrating the major points, include some visual materials such as pictures, schemes, diagrams, etc.
Week 6. October, 10.
The Pennsylvanian region. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 2, texts 1, 2, 3.
Presentation # 4
If you got interested in the life of the Amish society in the U.S. today, prepare a 10-minute presentation on "The Lifestyle of Amish Communities in the USA Today". Search for information on the sites:
• Amish Beliefs, History & Lifestyle
• Pennsylvania Dutch
• The Gentle People
Week 7. October, 17.
New York Metropolitan Area. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 2, chapter 2, texts 4, 5.
Presentation # 5
Practically all museums and cultural institutions of NYC have websites. Choose one of the main NYC museums, search its site, and prepare a presentation devoted to the chosen museum:
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Definition
• American Museum of Natural History - Definition
• Brooklyn Museum - Definition
• Carnegie Hall - Definition
• Museum of the City of New York - Definition
• Museum of Modern Art - Definition
Week 8. October, 24.
Ethnic diversity of population in NYC. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 2, chapter 2, texts 4, 5. Hispanics in NYC: is Spanish the Measure of "Hispanic"?
Recommended sites:
• Hispanics - Definition and Overview
• Hispanic Culture
• Hispanic Reading Room (Library of Congress)
• Spain, the USA and the American Frontiers (Library of Congress)
• US Latino History and Culture
Presentation # 6 (for two people)
Using the information from the sites below prepare a presentation called "Hispanic communities in the USA". Research answers to the following questions, along with any other information you think will be valuable for this assignment:
• When did this group of people first arrive in the United States?
• What historical events or legislation has affected the livelihood of this group in the USA?
• When did the term "Hispanics" appear?
• What countries do Latinos/Hispanics mostly come from today?
• What are the main problems they encounter living in the USA?
• In what regions of the USA do the majority of this ethnic group live?
• How many people of this ethnic group live in the USA today? How has the percentage fluctuated since this ethnic group first came to the U.S.?
• What general characteristics (beliefs, holidays, etc) do Hispanics have that illustrate their heritage and ethnicity in the USA?
Week 9. October, 31.
Midterm test.
Week 10. November, 7.
The South. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 3, texts 1, 2, 3. The causes of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln's Inaugural Speech (before the Civil War 1861).
Week 11. November, 14.
Ethnics and Behavior in the South. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 3, texts 4, 5, 6. The Old South by H.M. Hamill.
Week 12. November, 21.
Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 3, text 6. "The South: Where is it? What is it?" from John Shelton Reed's "My Tears Spoiled My Aim".
Recommended sites:
• Language of the Land (South)
• Regional Dialects of American English
• Southern Dialect Dictionary
Presentation # 7 (for two people)
Using the information from the sites below prepare a presentation called "Southern Dialects and Regional Varieties of the English Language". Research answers to the following questions, along with any other information you think will be valuable for this assignment:
• What are the major southern dialects?
• In what states and areas are they spoken?
• Describe Southern pronunciation and vocabulary.
• What languages influenced the formation of southern dialects?
• What are the distinctive features of The Cajun English of Louisiana?
Week 13. November, 28.
South Florida. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 3, text 7. European Discovery & Settlement in South Florida, Everglades Today.
Recommended sites:
• Cajun - Definition and Overview
• Cajun Style Swamp Tours
• The Blast From the Bayou Cajun and Zydeco Festival
• Soul Food Cookbook
Presentation # 8 (for two people)
Using the information from the sites below along with any other information you think will be valuable for this assignment, prepare a presentation called "Cajun Сulture in the South of the USA". Describe the ancestry of this ethnic group, the language they speak (Cajun French), the regions of the USA they settled, their culture, traditions, music genres, and dances, history traditions, cuisine, celebrations and festivals, institutions, etc.
Week 14. December, 5.
Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 3, text 7. Traditions of South Florida Folk Life by T. Bucuvalas.
Recommended sites:
• Soul Food Cookbook
• Southern Foodways Alliance
• Cooking in the Deep-South with Chef Bob
• Americans at the Table: Reflections on Food and Culture
Presentation # 9 (for two people)
Using the information from the sites below prepare a presentation called "Distinctive features of the Southern cuisine". Research answers to the following questions, along with any other information you think will be valuable for this assignment:
• What are the types of Southern cuisine?
• What foods are commonly associated with the South?
• What is Cajun and Creole cuisine?
• What food might be part of a traditional Southern meal?
• What did Native Americans/African Americans introduce into the southern diet?
Week 15. December, 12.
The Midwest. Introduction to American Regional Studies (IARS), part 3, chapter 4, text 1, 2. The Midwest History and Culture.
Presentation # 10 (for two people)
The History of the Upper Midwest: an Overview.
Presentation # 11 (for two people)
Using the information from the site Great Lakes Information Network, along with any other information you think will be valuable for this assignment, prepare a presentation called “The Upper Midwest Region Today”. Concentrate on the following topics:
• Indians, or Native Peoples of the Great Lakes: tribes, settlements, their language, beliefs and art;
• law and policy of the region (because legislation focusing on the Great Lakes basin involves the federal governments of the United States and Canada);
• famous people of the region;
• conservation and environmental protection of the region.
Week 16. December, 19.
Final exam.
