AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

AMST 215/ HIST 278A: Introduction to American Studies

Spring 2018

Section 1: 9:30 – 10:45 TR (Nicely 411)

Samar Temsah
Building 37, Room 403
Officer Hours: TR 11:05 – 12:05 pm or by appointment
st56@aub.edu.lb

Course Description
This course considers the question: “What is America?” from a variety of angles. In an
attempt to answer this question, we will survey cultural encounters between the United
States and others. Our investigation will commence with the colonial juxtaposition of
Europeans, Native Americans and Africans leading up to subsequent encounters with
Latinos, Asians and Arabs. Although cultural fictions and cultural exclusions, where the
U.S. and its cultural producers have identified identities and ideologies in contrast to or in
interaction with other nations and cultures, have helped to sustain unity among many
Americans, sub-national and transnational identities have continually called this unity
into question. Taking this into account, we will explore and examine encounters and
accounts of the idea of “America” and conceptions of what it means or what it takes in
order to be an “American” as they have evolved over time within the framework of
themes that have been considered molding agents of the American Identity. Certain
complex key terms will guide our discussions during the semester and we will learn about
and explore a few of the critical perspectives and methods characterizing American
Studies.

AMST 215 is the core course for the Minor in American Studies. It is also a humanities
course.

Course Format
I will lecture occasionally to provide introductions to topics, help interpret texts and to
give you a theoretical framework for understanding American Identity. But I expect
lectures to be interactive. Additionally, as discussion will be an important component in
this class, we will hold both whole class discussions as well as smaller discussion
sessions between groups.

Course Goals
The course aims to give you the opportunity to
•   Learn about the culture and the history of the U.S., including that of Native
Americans, Africans Americans, and its relation with the rest of the world like
Latin America and the Middle East.

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 •   Theorize/critique/be familiar with complex key terms in American Studies, which
are imperative to any American Studies discussion.
•   Analyze themes that have been viewed as agents in shaping an American Identity
from colonial times up until the 21st century.
•   Interpret different kinds of texts as well as events based on dominant and non-
dominant narratives and histories.

Course Readings
Course materials will include a range of genres, including archival and historical
documents, literature, historical writing, criticism, media, popular culture and more. A
packet of core readings will be placed in the AUB Bookstore for you to buy. (I will let
you know when it is ready.) Core readings may be supplemented by documents posted on
our Moodle page. Please note that all assigned readings should be completed before class.

Course Assessment
Class Informed Participation & Attendance 10
Reading Responses 15
3 x 5 points
Open-Ended Discussion Question 10
Bi-weekly Complex Key Term Thesis 10
Statement
Preliminary Final Project Paper (Draft) 15
8-12 pgs. Final Project Paper 40
The grades are norm referenced.
•   Reading Responses: You are to submit 3 responses to readings of your own
choosing over the course of the semester, where each is a minimum of 1
page/double spaced. Please keep count of your submissions and keep in mind that
I can only grade what I receive. The responses are your critical analytical
reflections on a specific section/part/paragraph in the chosen readings. Based on
your chosen section:
1.   Analyze the language being used
2.   The surprising element of the argument
3.   Its relationship to the notion of “America” and/or “American” as an identity
4.   How it relates to current day political and cultural happenings
5.   Include other class readings
6.   Include viable outside sources
Please make sure to specify which section/part/paragraph you are responding to.

•   Open-Ended Discussion Question: You are to generate and submit 1 open-

ended discussion question by the beginning of week 6. This question is to address
a topic that peaked your interest as a result of the readings, complex terms or that
you find important to address and would like to write about in length. The
question has to clearly relate to at least one aspect of the American Identity & it
can’t cover topics/questions already addressed in class.

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 •   Bi-weekly Complex Key Terms Thesis Statement: Every 2 weeks, you will
submit a thesis statement which reflects how the chosen term relates to current
day political and cultural dealings. Please resort to the “Key Concept” terms
assigned to each class in the Weekly Assignments Calendar in order to write
your bi-weekly thesis statements. Clearly identify your chosen term in the title.

•   8-12 pgs. Final Project Paper: You are to write a final paper in which you will
be provided more information on in the beginning weeks of the semester.

These assignments, except for the final paper, are to be submitted in hard as well as in
soft copy via email, where I will evaluate the hardcopy version and hand it back to you
and keep the soft copy on record for your final grade. In case you are to miss class, please
do email me your assignment on time.

MLA Standard: All entries are to be typed, Times New Roman, font 12, double-spaced,
with your last name next to each page # at the top right corner of every page. On the top
left, of the first page, you should include your name, followed by the instructor’s, the
class reference number and lastly the date.

Course Expectations and Policies

Attendance:
As this is not a primarily lecture class and is a student-centered class, entailing that your
participation and even direction will be a core feature of in-class activities, your presence
is expected and is required. Attendance will be taken, so please be on time.

According to FAS policy, if you miss more than 1/5 of all classes within the first 10
weeks of class, you may be withdrawn (i.e. dropped) from the course by the instructor.

According to AUB policy, you may withdraw from the course no later than 10 weeks into
the semester as long as your overall credit load will not go below 12 credits.

Policy on excused** and unexcused absences:

All absences, unless sanctioned by the university as “excused,” will be counted as
“unexcused.”
**Excused Absences: If you miss class because of illness, please provide a medical report
and/or professional opinion issued by a qualified medical doctor. If you need to be absent
for a university-sanctioned event please ask for an official letter from the sponsoring
organization before the event takes place. You will still be expected to complete
assignments on time.

Class Engagement and Citizenship:

In an effort to create a successful learning community, two things must be kept in mind:
Be respectful of the articulated ideas and for the persons articulating them; be they a
writer, a professor, or a fellow student. Be responsible when it comes to course work and
class lectures. If you miss a class, contact a fellow student and find out what you have
missed.

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Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
In all writing, ideas and words taken from any source should be documented. Failure to
credit ideas or material taken from sources constitutes plagiarism, a violation of the
University’s academic regulations, and is subject to disciplinary action. All writing you
do for this course must be your own and must be written exclusively for this course,
unless the instructor stipulates differently. Please pay special attention to the quotes,
paraphrases, and documentation practices you use in your papers (note: if you are
referring to work previously submitted for this course, then you must cite yourself).
Please refer to AUB Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.aub.edu.lb/pnp/generaluniversitypolicies/Documents/StudentCodeConduct/St
udentCodeConduct.pdf , in particular section 1.1, which concerns academic misconduct
including cheating, plagiarism, in-class disruption, and dishonesty. Please be aware that
misconduct is vigorously prosecuted and that AUB has a zero tolerance policy. Course
policy is that credible evidence of cheating will result in course failure.

Unique Learning Needs of Students with Disabilities:

AUB strives to make learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or
experience academic barriers due to a disability (including mental health, chronic or
temporary medical conditions), please inform me immediately so that we can privately
discuss options. In order to help establish reasonable accommodations and facilitate a
smooth accommodations process, you are encouraged to contact the Accessible
Education Office: accessibility@aub.edu.lb; +961-1-350000, x3246; West Hall, 314.

Non-Discrimination:
AUB is committed to facilitating a campus free of all forms of discrimination including
sex/gender-based harassment prohibited by Title IX. The University’s non-discrimination
policy applies to, and protects, all students, faculty, and staff. If you think you have
experienced discrimination or harassment, including sexual misconduct, we encourage
you to tell someone promptly. If you speak to a faculty or staff member about an issue
such as harassment, sexual violence, or discrimination, the information will be kept as
private as possible, however, faculty and designated staff are required to bring it to the
attention of the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Faculty can refer you to fully
confidential resources, and you can find information and contacts at
www.aub.edu.lb/titleix . To report an incident, contact the University's Title IX
Coordinator Trudi Hodges at 01-350000 ext. 2514, or titleix@aub.edu.lb . An anonymous
report may be submitted online via EthicsPoint at www.aub.ethicspoint.com

Weekly Assignments Calendar

Weeks Topics, Readings, and Assignments
Course Overview & Introduction
Week 1 T: Overview & Introduction to the American Studies Field
Jan 29 – Feb 2   TH: Introduction to the American Studies Field, continued
Reading Assignments:
•   Arthur J. Magida’s “What is America?”, 2016
Defining Our Terms
Week 2 T: Defining “America”
Feb 5 –9 Reading Assignments:

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 •  Carolyn Finney’s “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My
Land: People and Public Lands Redux”, 2010
•   Shukran Qazimi’s “Sense of Place and Place Identity”, 2014
Key Concept: Manifest Destiny, 1840s.

TH: Defining Identity

Reading Assignments:
•   Michael Walzer’s “What Does it Mean to Be an “America”?”,
1989
Key Concept: Identity
Nature, Land & Wilderness: The Myth of An Eden, A Tabula Rasa
Week 3 T: Promise of a Virgin Land & Americanism
Feb 12 – 16 Reading Assignments:
•   John Winthrop's A Model of Christian Charity Address, 1630
Key Concept: American Exceptionalism, 1831

TH: Land & American Identity

Reading Assignments:
•   J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur’s “Letters from an American
Farmer”, 1782
Key Concept: American Exceptionalism, 1831
Week 4 T: One Man’s Loss, Another’s Gain
Feb 19 – 23 Reading Assignments:
•   Frederick Jackson Turner’s “The Frontier Thesis”, 1893
Key Concept: Environmental Determinism

TH: De-historicized Voices Find an Odd Platform

Reading Assignments:
•   John Neihardt’s “Black Elk Speaks”, Ch. 2, 1932
•   John Neihardt’s “Black Elk Speaks”, Ch. 23, 1932
Key Concept: Monroe Doctrine, 1823
Religion / The Puritan Covenant: The Chosen People
Week 5 T: Religious Freedom for All?
Feb 26 – Mar 2 Reading Assignments:
•   Kenneth C. Davis’ “America's True History of Religious
Tolerance”, 2010
•   Ning Kang’s “Puritanism and Its Impact upon American
Values”, 2009
Key Concept: Freedom

TH: Native American Heathens Do Not Get to Have Land Rights

Reading Assignments:
•   The Pluralism Project, Harvard University’s “First Encounters:
Native Americans and Christians”
•   Fred Whitehead’s “New Studies by Native American Scholar
Document the Role of Christianity in Historic Oppression”
Key Concept: Equality
Week 6 T: African Americans Slaves
Mar 5 – Mar 9 Reading Assignments:
•   Rev. W.S. Brown, M.D., “Preface” from Bible Defence of
Slavery: And Origin, Fortunes, and History of the Negro Race”
1852
Key Concept: Oppression
Open-Ended Question Assignment is due at the beginning of class

TH: Religion, a Measure of All Things

Reading Assignments:
•   Thomas Aiello’s “Constructing “Godless Communism”:
Religion, Politics, and Popular Culture, 1954-1960, 2005
•   Chris Moody and Kristen Holmes’ “Donald Trump's history of
suggesting Obama is a Muslim”, 2015

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 Key Concept: Patriotism / Nationalism
Education for Extinction– Teaching Model Citizenship: If they wear
“American” Suits and Hats, Speaks English, they are Probably American!
Week 7 T: The Cultural Genocide of Native Americans
Mar 12 – 16 Reading Assignments:
•   Zitkala-Sa’s (Gertrude Bonnin) “The School Days of an Indian
Girl, American Indian Stories”, 1921
•   Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education”, 1993
•   Julia Davis’ “American Indian Boarding School Experiences:
Recent Studies from Native Perspectives”, 2001
Key Concept: Citizenship

TH: In-house Course Evaluation & Check Up and Ford Motor Company
Sociological Department & English School
Reading Assignments:
•   Elana Firsht’s “Assembly Line Americanization”: Henry Ford’s
Progressive Politics”, 2012
Key Concept: Ethnicity
Week 8 T: Latino Diaspora/Cultural Estrangement: Banned Otherness
Mar 19 – 23 Reading Assignments:
•   Julia Alvarez’s “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents:
Chapter 8: Trespass”, 1991
•   Manuela Llorenta’s “And Why Did The Garcia Girls Lost Their
Accents? Language, Identity And the Immigrant Experience in
Julia Alvarez’s How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”, 2001
Key Concept: Democracy

TH: Draft of Final Paper Project / Banned Otherness Then & Now
Reading Assignments:
•   J. Weston Phippen’s “How One Law Banning Ethnic Studies
Led to Its Rise”, 2015
•   Dan Prinzing’s “Americanization, Immigration, and Civic
Education: The Education of the “Ignorant and Free””, 2004
Key Concept: Americanization
Consumerism: In Buying We Trust
Week 9 T: A People of Plenty
Mar 26 – 30 Reading Assignments:
•   Russell W. Belk’s “Possessions and the Extended Self”, 1988
Key Concept: Nation - State

TH: Why Consumerism Won the 20th Century

Reading Assignments:
•   Gary Cross’s “An All-American Consuming Century, Ch. 1:
“The Irony of the Century”, 2000
Key Concept: Class
Week 10 T: Liberty & Democracy through Consumption
Apr 2 – Apr 6 Reading Assignments:
•   Lawrence B. Glickman’s “The ‘Ism’ That Won the Century”,
2000
•   Lizabeth Cohen’s “A Consumer Republic: The Politics of Mass
Consumption in Postwar America, Ch. 3: Reconversion: The
Emergence of the Consumers’ Republic”, 2008
Key Concept: Capitalism

TH: The American Way

Reading Assignments:
•   Jefferson Pooley’s “The Consuming Self: From Flappers to
Facebook”, 2010
•   Danielle Todd’s “You Are What You Buy: Postmodern
Consumerism and The Construction of Self”, 2011
Key Concept: Individualism

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 Preliminary Final Project Paper Assignment is due at the beginning of class
War: Us Vs. Them – A Battle Between “Good & Evil”
Week 11 T: Evil Savages
Apr 9 – 13 Reading Assignments:
•   Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz’s “Pocahontas Lyrics”,
1995
•   Charalambos Vrasidas’s “The White Man's Indian: Stereotypes
in Film and Beyond”, 1997
Key Concept: Domestic

TH: WW2: From Japanese Americans Citizens to Enemies

Reading Assignments:
•   Samantha Nelson’s “Wartime Propaganda: Good vs. Evil”,
2014
•   Julie Des Jardins’ “From Citizen to Enemy: The Tragedy of
Japanese Internment”, 2007
Key Concept: Space / Place
Week 12 T: Anti-Communism
Apr 16 – 20 Reading Assignments:
•   Eugene Dennis’ “Is Communism Un-American?: Nine
Questions About the Communist Party Answered”, 1974
•   Wendy Wall’s “Anti-Communism in the 1950s”
Key Concept: Hegemony

TH: The War on Terror

Reading Assignments:
•   Sulaiman Arti’s “The evolution of Hollywood's representation
of Arabs before 9/11: the relationship between political events
and the notion of 'Otherness'”, 2007
Key Concept: Others /Otherness
Race: African Americans & the Question of Citizenship / Course Wrap Up &
Final Project
Week 13 T: Free or Not, Black is Black (The Mark of Cain)
Apr 23 – 27 Reading Assignments:
•   Phillis Wheatley’s “On Being Brought from Africa to
America”, 1773
•   “Dred Scott's fight for freedom”
•   California Newsreel’s “Explore Different Rules for Whites”,
2003
Key Concept: Race

TH: A Half as Black Black President?

Reading Assignments:
•   Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Fear of a Black President”, 2012
Key Concept: Supremacy
Week 14 T: May  1  no  Class  –  Happy  Labor!  
Apr 30 – May 4
TH: Black Lives Matter / Course Wrap Up & Final Exam
Reading Assignments:
•   Heather Mac Donald’s “The Myths of Black Lives Matter”,
2016
•   Lebron, D., Morrison, L., Ferris, D., Alcantara, A., Cummings,
D., Parker, G., & McKay, M.’s “Facts Matter! Black Lives
Matter! The Trauma of Racism”, 2015
Key Concept: White Privilege
Week 15 T: Final Paper Project Questions & Concerns
May 7 – 11 TH: Dec 7 No Class – Reading Period

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