Bachelor
2025/2026
History and Culture of the USA
Type:
Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
1 year, 4 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
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.