124070 VO Culture, Society and the Media (2011W)

This survey lecture course sets out to provide the background in history, geography and demography ("race" and ethnicity) necessary for a deeper understanding of U.S.- American life and arts in a foreign-language-learning context. Special sessions will deal with the political, social and cultural realities of selected Native Americans/"Indian" tribes/nations and their (mis)representation in mainstream literature and film. We will also consider topical issues of the day - and all along the way, we will look at the many historical and ideological differences (and similarities) between the United States and Canada.