American Hero
	Alexia Badoy

See other courses taught by Alexia Badoy

Presentation
There is a specificity to the American hero, whether he comes from the fields of politics, business or sports or is represented in American literature or film. We will look at this particularity through the study of past and present heroes in these fields. Examples will include figures like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, FDR and JFK, Bill Gates and Jack Welch, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart, Batman, Superman and Spiderman and antiheroes like Charlie Brown and Holden Caulfield.

Teaching objectives
To examine what constitutes the particularities of the American hero and why. · To develop students' public-speaking skills through discussions, debates and presentations.

Format
One meeting weekly of 3 hours during 7 weeks.

Course content
Discussions and debates centered on the American hero, illustrated by examples; how he has evolved over time, which qualities characterize him today, and if and how he is representative of a general American state of mind.

Individual and group work
Students will be given assignments to prepare for class: documents to read or watch · Active participation in class discussions and analyses · Students will give an individual or group presentation on an American public figure, past or present, of their choice, and explain what makes him/her a hero or antihero.

Evaluation
Students will be graded based on their active participation in class debate as well as their presentations and essays.

Recommended level
This course is designed for students of all levels

See other courses taught by Alexia Badoy

last updated May 31, 2003

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