Overview
- “THE AMERICAN DREAM” WRITING SAMPLE (1 @ 5 points)
This assignment encourages you to reflect on your perception of the American Dream and explore how and where you learned about it. This exercise will help you connect personal experiences with broader cultural narratives and prepare you for more extensive writing assignments in the course.
Please see additional assignment instructions on module Assignment Prompts.
POPULAR CULTURE AS AMERICAN CULTURE
Readings:
- Brandt & Clare (2018), What is "American" Culture? Introduction, pp. 1-25
- Brandt &Clare (2018), Ch. 2, Cultural Myths and the American Dream (all)
- American Culture: The Media Hype (all) Chapter 1 Media Phobia.pdfDownload Chapter 1 Media Phobia.pdf
NOTE: We will be reading two chapters per week starting Week 1 and there are specific instructions for assignments on the Assignment Prompts module.
Lecture: WATCH
- Defining American Culture – YouTubeLinks to an external site.
America is one of the most diverse countries in the world, making defining American culture a difficult task to undertake. Considering the many traditions Americans from all walks of life adhere to, pass down, recognize and celebrate, one would be hard pressed to capture all that she encompasses and constitutes. Nevertheless, these Americans shared their views on their cultural identity and heritage.
Introductory Lecture: What is American Culture?
Readings: Brandt & Clare (2018). Introduction. pp. 1 - 2