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| Veranstaltungen
im Sommersemester 2004 |
Einführung
Kulturstudien
Introduction
to American Studies
Mo 13-15 h |
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This course is intended to provide
a broad introductory overview of a number of issues that are important
for a basic understanding of American culture. The goal of this
class is to provide students with a better factual knowledge of
the nation, its people, its regions, and a number of fundamental
ideological concepts. The topics will include the physical, historical,
political, social, and cultural aspects of the USA. – Only
students who are prepared to participate actively and to commit
themselves to oral and written assignments should sign up for this
class. Prospective participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves
in advance with the general aspects of the subject. Study material
will be made available by the beginning of term. — The requirements
for a “Schein” include the successful completion of
a variety of oral and written assignments (e.g. short oral presentation,
mini-essay, selected bibliography). Texts will be made available
by the beginning of term.
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| PS
Kulturstudien
Basic
Documents of American Culture (2)
Di
11-13 h
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Like its predecessor, this class
is designed to familiarize students with central issues of American
history and culture. It will be devoted to an intensive study of
various types of documents, including presidentials speeches, legislative
acts, letters, essays, and selections from American literature.
Special attention will be paid to topics which appear in text books
used at the Gymnasium. – Students interested in signing up
for this class should be prepared to work on a number of different
assignments. Another prerequisite for participation is a willingness
to become actively involved in in-class discussions. Participation
in part one of this class (summer term of 2003) is not required.
– The texts to be studied will be made available by the beginning
of term. |
HS
Literaturstudien
American
Poetry in the Nineteenth Century
Di 9-11 h |
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This course will study the varied
productions of American poets in the nineteenth century. It will
pay attention to poets who were extremely popular during their time
(Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes), to the poetic voices of women and
regional writers who were not as widely read and heard, and to the
figures who can be regarded as literary innovators of nineteenth-century
American poetry (Whitman, Dickinson). The topics addressed in this
course include the following issues: American poetry as an affirmation
of social norms, poetry as popular culture and entertainment, the
attempt to formulate a specifically and distinctively American poetry,
and related aspects. – Prospective participants should be
aware that they will have to complete a series of assignments, both
oral and written, to receive credit for this class. Texts will be
made available by the beginning of term.
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HS
Kulturstudien
Images
of the American West
Mo 15-17 h |
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Scholars of American culture have
identified the American West as a powerful concept with an important
influence on the development of American history and the American
imagination. From the earliest (European) mythological beliefs about
the significance of the West to Turner's famous "frontier thesis"
the impact of the ideology of the West has found multiple reflections
in American culture. This class will establish a general understanding
of the issues involved and will then examine relevant texts with regard
to the Western imagery they contain and employ. — Students wishing
to participate in this class must be willing to devote significant
time and effort to preparatory reading and to contribute actively
to in-class discussions. To obtain a “Schein” for this
class, students will be required to work on a series of oral and written
assignments drawing on the full range of their academic skills. A
reader will be made available by the beginning of term. |
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