Course: AMST 100: Image of the American Businessman
Instructor: David Gordon Misal
Subject: Midterm Examination Guide
As mentioned at the beginning of this course, anything that your instructor has chosen to write
on the board or put into a Powerpoint is considered fair grounds for examination questions. That
being said, however, the material below is considered, by me, to be of the greatest significance
for the exam. A student that demonstrates mastery of the material contained in this document
could expect a grade of at least a B for the exam, assuming the mechanics of the written essay do
not mask this mastery. All of these points have been covered in lecture, and are part of the PPT
files that are posted to CMS. Details about the specifics of each topic should be found in your
lecture notes and the readings, both of which are the student’s responsibility.
From “The Introduction,” students should be able to define, identify, analyze and evaluate, and
state the significance of the following:
1. American Studies as a method and a discipline (especially to define its function and role
in society, and what separates it from traditional humanities and social sciences)
2. Myth and Symbol school of American Studies (including significant writers, such as
Marx, Mumford, and Miller)
3. Representation vs Image vs Symbol vs Myth (including the notable theorists such as
Barthes, Baudillard, and Kant)
From “The Businessman and Religion,” students should be able to define, identify, analyze and
evaluate, and state the significance of the following:
1. The role of religious views on businessmen and women, especially on their ethical
considerations (especially with reference to early Puritans and Quakers, and on religious
businesspeople such as John Wannamaker)
2. The role of business in molding religious developments in American society (especially
in the revivalism of John Whitefield, the Second Great Awakening, and in the
dissemination of Transcendental Meditation in the 1960s)
3. The intersection of religion and businessman in the political and social realm (especially
in the thinking of the Gospel of Wealth, both as represented by Carnegie and the
televangelists about which we read)
From “Business and Gender,” students should be able to define, identify, analyze and evaluate,
and state the significance of the following:
1. Constructions of masculinity in business (especially as seen in Death of a Salesman
through Willie, Happy, and Biff; the Tesla corporation article; and the history of outside
work in the public sphere as a masculine construction through Welter’s article; and the
character of Joe Fox in You’ve Got Mail)
2. Constructions of femininity in business (especially as seen in The Devil Wears Prada
through the characters of Miranda, Emily, and Andy; the female cast, particularly
Kathleen Kelly, of You’ve Got Mail; the Major Problems readings on secretaries,
Victorian women, and the changes in women’s opportunities in business; and Barbara
Welter’s article True Womanhood)
The exam will be consist of the following sections:
1. There will be at least fifteen identification terms, of which you will choose ten to
complete. Please recall that an identification term answer consists of two parts – the
definition and the significance. Each part is worth two points, for a total score of four
possible points per identification term. Partial credit is possible for each part of the
answer. Two sentences is usually sufficient to answer these questions. Remember the
formula – what is this and why does the instructor care?
Example:
Jean Baudrillard – Jean Baudrillard was a 20th century French philosopher. He is significant
for Simulcra and Simulation, which introduced the idea of the hyperreal.
Hyperreal – The hyperreal is the idea that media representations of things become more real
to the observer than the actual thing-in-itself. This is significant because of how much media
people consume, and because the images created have lasting and wide-spread influence on
American perceptions and actions.
2. There will be ten multiple choice questions. These questions are worth two points each.
Remember to choose the best answer to each question; also remember that there is no
penalty for guessing, so it is best to leave nothing blank.
Example:
John Winthrop’s vision of the Massachusetts Bay colony is best described as:
A.
B.
C.
D.
A democratic utopia, free of the hierarchy of Europe.
A theocratic utopia, free of the religious corruption of Europe.
A communist utopia, free of the class structures of Europe.
A Catholic utopia, free of the Protestant heresies of Europe.
The answer is B. The Puritans supported a hierarchical society under religious
dominion (A). Marx had not been born yet, and the Puritans did not desire to create
an egalitarian society (C). The Puritans were Protestant, not Catholic (D).
3. Below are three essay questions. On the exam, two of these questions will be given, of
which you will choose one to answer in complete sentences and paragraphs. The
questions will appear exactly on the exam as they appear on the study guide. Successful
essays will be based on evidence from class discussions, texts, visuals, lectures, readings,
and/or provided examples. I usually expect a thesis and three points, and create my
questions accordingly. While I do not specifically take points off for spelling and
grammar, I do take points off if the essay is difficult to understand for any reason,
including but not limited to handwriting, spelling, grammar, and style. In other words,
make sure that your ideas shine through the essay clearly, and are not hindered by poor
presentation.
Three questions to study, two from which to choose, one to complete the exam:
Question #1 – Compare and contrast John Wannamaker and Andrew Carnegie. Which
American businessman has been more important in American culture? A successful essay
will include discussion of their key accomplishments and influences in their respective
industries, their image and public persona, and their social and cultural influences and legacy.
Remember that justification must be given for assessing the relative importance of these
businessmen, and should be tied to facts about them and their legacy.
Question #2 – Analyze the construction of the American businessman and businesswoman in
the films You’ve Got Mail and The Devil Wears Prada. A successful essay will include
analysis of masculinity and femininity in the characters of Joe, Kathleen, and Miranda.
Secondary characters from either film will also make useful points of analysis and
comparison. Specifically, be sure to cover not only dialogue and actions, but also
mannerisms, dress, and physical characteristics.
Question #3 – Analyze the image below, and discuss the ways in which masculinity and the
businessman is constructed in it. A successful essay will include a thorough analysis of the
image, using at least three fully-developed points to support the thesis.