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CLM AS2 - Cultures and Identities in the Americas*

Faculty
Jan Gustafsson
Course Coordinator
Jan Gustafsson
Prerequisite/progression of the course
Students are advised to have taken survey courses on history and cultures and identities in the Americas at the BA-level before joining this course
Course content, structure and teaching
The aim of this course is to provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools to analyse culture and identity issues in the Western hemisphere. Students will become familiar with major theoretical approaches in culture and identity studies and learn to apply these theories within various empirical fields in the USA and Latin America such as: nation, race, gender, class, ethnicity, religion, popular culture. The students will also be able to apply this theoretical and empirical knowledge to economic, political and social issues in relation to business and organisations.
Learning Objectives
In the synopsis the student must be able to:
  • Identify and present a relevant problem/issue within the framework of the course, that is, cultures and identities in the Western hemisphere
  • Relate this to a field within the study of culture and/or identities such as
      • National identity
      • Race or ethnic identity
      • Theories within identity and/or culture
  • Identify a theoretical framework for the case being presented
  • Identify important literature within the area of study
In the oral exam the student must also be able to:
  • Discuss empirical and theoretical aspects and implications of the problem/issue under consideration
  • Carry out an analysis of the problem/issue on the basis of the theoretical and/or methodological framework presented
  • Participate in a discussion of the problem/issue, theories and methods including alternative theoretical/methodological approaches
  • Identify other related issues within the area and/or similar issues in one or more other geographical areas in the Western hemisphere
  • Identify and relate to other issues within the field
  • Suggest or participate in a discussion of how the problem/issue under consideration could be approached from a practical perspective. Such a practical perspective could for example be:
    • Business oriented (e.g. the relationship between advertisement and culture/identity)
    • Organisation oriented (e.g. the relationship between culture/identity and development assistance)
    • Politically oriented (e.g. the relationship between culture/identity and political problems)
Type of examination, exam aids and assessment
Oral exam, 20 min., on the basis of a synopsis, 3-5 pages
Teaching methods
The course uses lectures and group activities. There is an emphasis upon student participation.
All the teaching and the exam is in English
Course literature
To be announced

Last updated by The Electives Secretariat 06/05/2010