Бакалавриат
2026/2027
История и культура США
Статус:
Курс по выбору (Иностранные языки и межкультурная коммуникация)
Кто читает:
Школа иностранных языков
Где читается:
Факультет гуманитарных наук
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 3, 4 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
4
Контактные часы:
52
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course “History and Culture of the U.S.A.” is taught to freshmen majoring in foreign languages and intercultural communication. The aim of the course is to establish the context of understanding of the cultural, historic, economic, and political background of the U.S.A. as a country whose language is the target language of students’ professional scrutiny. Course materials include a variety of primary and secondary sources that explore the phenomena discussed from different perspectives to enhance students' analytical, critical thinking and media literacy skills. Special attention is paid to a comparative analysis of the U.S. – Russia relations. The course features both lectures and seminars, which enables students to interiorize the “American component” of their intercultural communicative competence through involvement in class discussions, case-study, quizzes, tests and writing critical reviews.
Learning Objectives
- familiarizing students with the U.S. traditions, culture, politics and policies, economy and history
- developing skills of social and cultural analysis of historic milestones of the U.S. emergence, growth and modern status
- enhancing critical thinking to come to independent conclusions about the U.S. sociocultural and political phenomena through the acquisition of media literacy skills
- developing intercultural competence and forming a clear picture of the key types, forms, and issues of intercultural communication through the reflective analytical and synthetic perception of the student's local culture and the U.S. culture
- motivating students for further professional development in the field of American Studies
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To recognize and interpret the U.S. traditions, culture, politics and policies, economy and history
- To interpret the history, current state and prospects of Russia – U.S. relations
- To analyze and evaluate historic milestones of the U.S. emergence, growth and modern status from social and cultural perspectives
- To select relevant primary sources and come to independent conclusions about the U.S. sociocultural and political phenomena on their basis
Course Contents
- Introduction to the course
- Genesis of the American nation
- American fight for independence
- American national identity
- American democracy
- Law in the USA
- The evolution of racial justice movements in America
- Diversity and immigration in the USA
- Legal history of women in the United States
- The US foreign policy: from isolationism to interventionism
- The USA and Russia: the past, the present, and the future
Assessment Elements
- Lecture QuizzesLecture tests serve as the primary tool for ongoing assessment throughout the course. They are designed to regularly evaluate students' comprehension of key concepts, facts, and theoretical frameworks presented during lectures. By administering short quizzes after specific topics, this method helps maintain student discipline and motivation over the duration of the term.
- Seminar WorkThis assessment component is designed to evaluate a student's level of independent work and in-class engagement. The evaluation of independent preparation is based on the ability to locate, analyze, and synthesize information from various sources. The assessment of in-class activity is based on the quality of participation in discussions, which includes formulating questions, engaging in reasoned argumentation, and synthesizing diverse viewpoints to reach a collective solution during case studies and debates.
- PresentationA form of assessment designed to evaluate a student's capacity for independent research and their ability to synthesize and articulate complex information. Students are required to investigate a specified topic and present their findings in a structured format, which is assessed for both its academic rigor and the presenter's communication skills.
- Module 3 Final TestA summative assessment designed to evaluate the student's cumulative knowledge and comprehension of the module's core content. The format is a written test comprising open-response questions, which assesses the ability to analyze the subject matter, construct coherent written arguments, and integrate insights from both lectures and seminar discussions.
- Module 4 Final TestA summative assessment designed to evaluate the student's cumulative knowledge and comprehension of the module's core content. The format is a written test comprising open-response questions, which assesses the ability to analyze the subject matter, construct coherent written arguments, and integrate insights from both lectures and seminar discussions.
- ExamThis form of examination assesses a student's ability to apply theoretical knowledge to a practical scenario. Students are required to analyze a provided case, integrating insights from the topics studied throughout the course. The assessment is based on the ability to dissect the historical and legal context and evaluate the case's broader cultural and societal implications.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 4th module0.2 * Lecture Quizzes + 0.1 * Module 4 Final Test + 0.25 * Seminar Work + 0.05 * Presentation + 0.3 * Exam + 0.1 * Module 3 Final Test
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Talalakina, E. V. Academic Skills through Cases in American Studies / E. V. Talalakina, I. V. Yakusheva. — Москва : Высшая школа экономики, 2011. — 144 с. — ISBN 978-5-7598-0919-7. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/65968 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- A Glimpse of the USA, учебно-методическое пособие, ГУ-ВШЭ, Нижегород. фил., каф. ин. яз., 54 с., Емельянова, Н. А., Смирнова, Н. И., 2001
- Америка: народ и страна, Стивенсон, Д. К., 1993