Anglo-American Culture and Civilization

Study of US culture through the interdisciplinary approach of American Studies and Cultural Studies; students will be able to identify the relationships between texts and contexts (historical, political, and social) and discuss the concept of American identity from both a national and a transnational perspective.

The lessons will be held in English. Traditional front lessons will also give way to class debate on topical issues to foster the direct involvement of students. To further encourage their active participation and help them study for the oral exam, attending students will be required to read/watch the primary texts before the lessons (the schedule will be provided in the classroom and posted on Studium).

American Studies: theories, methods, and concepts; evolution of the research field and relationship with Cultural Studies. Vision and revision of the myths that built the nation. Theoretical approaches that are relevant for the study of US cultural aspects (Structuralism/Deconstruction, Psychoanalysis, social theories, Feminist criticism, Gender and Queer Studies, Age Studies, Postcolonialism, Critical Race Theory and Critical Whiteness Studies, Border and Hemispheric Studies).

For all students:

• A. Dallmann, E. Boesenberg, M. Klepper, eds., Approaches to American Cultural Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 2016 (pp. 1-251).
• An anthology of representative texts of various types (literary texts, public/presidential speeches, songs, movies...), to be discussed in the classroom and during the exam (the list and the links to the materials will be posted on Studium when the lessons start).

For non-attending students

In addition to the texts mentioned above, the following supplementary readings (available on Studium in .pdf format):

• D. Pease, “Postnational and Postcolonial Reconfigurations of American Studies in the Postmodern Condition”, in from J.C. Rowe (ed.), A Concise Companion to American Studies, Oxford and Malden, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp. 263-283.
• H. Jenkins, T. McPherson, J. Shattuc, “Defining Popular Culture”, in H. Jenkins, T. McPherson, J. Shattuc (eds.), Hop on Pop. The Politics and Pleasure of Popular Culture, Duke University Press, 2002, pp. 26-42.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.