University of Texas at Dallas Spring, 2006

Dr. Dachang Cong, 972-883-2297

Wed. 7 – 9:45 PM dccong@utdallas.edu

AMS 3302/501
(10107)
AMERICAN CULTURES

Course Description

The goal of this course is to gain a thorough understanding of mainstream American culture
(especially the business aspect) and various subcultures from an interdisciplinary perspective. The
course focuses on the new realities of American society and economy, such as corporate behavior
in the post-Enron era, the dilemma of middle-class and working-class families, and the interaction
between wealth and democracy. It studies how American society copes with natural disasters (the
1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina). The course also examines the mania of
consumerism and the relentless cost-cutting in Corporate America under the pressure of Wall
Street. Other topics include American values, ethnic groups, institutions, culture regions, and social
problems. To achieve these learning objectives, the instructor emphasizes both theories and
fieldwork methods. Each student is required to write a term paper and complete two exams. The
instructor encourages students to display innovation and original research. Students of different
backgrounds are also encouraged to conduct cross-cultural conversations. There are no
prerequisites.

Required Readings

Fradlin, Philip.
The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906.
Phillips, Kevin.
Wealth and Democracy.
Whybrow, Peter.
The American Mania.

Method of Evaluation

1) Two Exams 50% of final grade

2) Term Paper 50% of final grade

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Topics and Reading Assignments

I Orientation Jan. 11
Understanding American Cultures: Anthropological and Sociological perspectives
Doing Fieldwork on American Cultures

II Decoding Politics and Capitalism (1) Jan. 18

Reading American Cultures (1)

Phillips. Wealth and Democracy, pp. 3-107.

Kottak, ed. Researching American Culture, pp. 10-38.

III Decoding Politics and Capitalism (2) Jan. 25

Reading American Cultures (2)

Phillips. Wealth and Democracy, pp. 108-200.

Kottak, ed. Researching American Culture, pp. 39-74.

IV American Values Feb. 1

Decoding Politics and Capitalism (3)
Reading American Cultures (3)

Phillips. Wealth and Democracy, pp. 201-316.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 10-13, 361-394.

*Prospectus (50 words) for term paper due

V The Mass Media Feb. 8

Decoding Politics and Capitalism (4)
Reading American Culture (4)

Phillips. Wealth and Democracy, pp. 317-422.

Kottak, ed. Researching American Culture, pp. 227-258.

VI Culture Regions Feb. 15

Deciphering the Mania (1)

Whybrow. American Mania, Part I.

Garreau. The Nine Nations of North America.

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VII Social Stratification: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class Feb. 22
Deciphering the Mania (2)

Whybrow. American Mania, Part II.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 23-30, 173-194

VIII Politics and Law Mar. 1

Deciphering the Mania (3)
Midterm

Cong. "Amish Factionalism and Technological Change." In Ethnology, 31(3): 205-218.

Whybrow. American Mania, Part III.
Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 274-280.

IX Economy and Technology Mar. 15

Deciphering the Dilemma of Two-Income Families

Warren and Tyagi. The Two-Income Trap.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 234-254.

X Family and Kinship Mar. 22

Coping with Natural Disasters (1)

Fradlin. The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, pp. 1-47.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 119-148.

XI Religion, Education, and Wellness Mar. 29

Coping with Natural Disasters (2)

Fradlin. The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, pp. 51-163.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 309-322, 348-353.

XII Cultural and Social Change Apr. 5

Coping with Natural Disasters (1)

Fradlin. The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, pp. 164-247.

Spradley and Rynkiewich, eds. The Nacirema, pp. 405-417.

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XIII Untangling the New Economic Realities Apr. 12

 U.S. in the World Community
Coping with Natural Disasters (1)

Fradlin. The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, pp. 248-346.

**Take-home exam questions to be distributed

XIV The Digital Revolution Apr. 19

Management Challenges
Conclusion

XIV Term Paper and Take-Home Exam Due Apr. 26