English - Free topic B: Age of Great Dreams and Disappointments: US since 1945
Course content
This course element uses thematic, conceptual and narrative approaches to explore political, literary, cultural, economic, legal, and technological change and rebellion in the U.S. since 1945. The aim of the course is to examine, understand, and explain the ideas, factors, and issues that transformed American life, and how these transformations are still playing out on social, intellectual and aesthetic scenes.
While the course focusses primarily on the US at home, engagement abroad and the increasing influence of globalization will feature. One structuring theme of the course will be to ask how and with what consequences the US has changed since 1945.
Approaches from history, religion, literature, media, and pop culture will be employed.
Engelsk
The course is a combination of theoretical instruction, hands-on activities, and collaborative projects in order to foster an interactive learning environment. Students will engage in critical discussions, conduct data analysis, analyse case studies, and apply their skills to practical tasks.
Examples of key readings and viewings include: Truman Capote, In Cold Blood (1966); Curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi, Helter Skelter (1974); Jay Anson, The Amityville Horror (1977); Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire (1947); Adaptation, dir. Spike Jonze (2003); Nicole Krauss, The History of Love (2005). Primary and secondary excerpts from Major Problems in American History since 1945 (2014) will be used. Isserman and Kazin’s America Divided (2015) will provide historical narrative and analysis.
In addition to these types of readings, students will critically engage a range of other sources including: films, music, graphic novels, podcasts, websites, etc.
This course only leads to exams Free Topic 1, Free Topic 2 and Free Topic 3.
Exchange and international fee-paying guest students: apply for courses in Mobility Online. Questions regarding course registration should be directed to incomingmobility@adm.ku.dk.
• Sprogkrav, engelsk (eksempel): Proof of English proficiency is required if you want to take this course. Find the requirements here: https://studies.ku.dk/study-abroad/exchange/course-information/proof-of-english-proficiency/
Danske Åbent Universitets-studerende:
Læs mere om adgangskrav og tilmelding på https://aabentuniversitet.hum.ku.dk/ og find dit ansøgningsskema.
- ECTS
- 15 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Portfolio, A joint portfolio uploaded in digital exam: Deadline January 5th 2026
- Type of assessment details
- The portfolio will consist of an audio recording for Efram
Sera-Shriar’s section of the course, a take-home paper for Joe
Goddard’s section and participation in a student conference for
Inge Birgitte Siegumfeldt’s section.
• 8-10 min audio recording in small groups, equivalent to 7 pp (at the end of term)• Take-home essay 8 pp (at the end of term)
• Student conference: synopsis (4 pp) + paper presentation (3 min, equivalent to 2pp) at the end of term.
Each will make up one third of the final grade. - Examination prerequisites
-
This course only leads to exams Free Topic 1, Free Topic 2 and Free Topic 3.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Criteria for exam assessment
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 56
- Preparation
- 353,5
- English
- 409,5
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- HENKE2502U
- ECTS
- 15 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Full Degree Master choice
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Price
-
Dette er et kursus via tompladsordningen mod betaling på Åbent Universitet. Tilmeld dig og se aktuel prisoversigt på denne side.
- Schedulegroup
-
See schedule
- Studyboard
- Study board of English, Germanic and Romance Studies
Contracting department
- Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Humanities
Course Coordinators
- Joseph Goddard (7-6e766b6b68796b476f7c7435727c356b72)
- Inge Birgitte Siegumfeldt (6-796f6b6d7b73466e7b7334717b346a71)
- Efram Sera-Shriar (3-687676436b7870316e7831676e)
Timetable
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Courseinformation of students