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| Veranstaltungen
im Wintersemester 2005/2006 |
Proseminar
Kulturstudien
American
Popular Culture
Di 9-11 h |
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Although
it has always been a ubiquitous feature of modern life, "popular
culture" has often been dismissed as unfit for serious academic
study. In recent years, however, the subject has received more attention
in academia and its status has been raised significantly by the work
of M. Thomas Inge, Ray B. Browne, C.W.E. Bigsby, and others. These
scholars believe that "there is no more revealing index to the
total character and nature of a society than an examination of its
popular arts and the way it spends its leisure time" (Inge).
This class is designed to familiarize students with the basic concepts
of popular culture. It will acquaint them with questions of cultural
theory and invite them to explore a selection of fields in American
popular culture.
Only students who are prepared to participate actively
and to commit themselves to a significant number of 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.
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HS
Kulturstudien
Tramps
and Homelessness in American Culture
Di
11-13 h |
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Among
the popular images the USA, "the Land of Plenty" has always
had a special appeal for immigrants and Americans alike. But the
stories of achievement and success which formed the basis of the
"American dream" stand in stark contrast to a social reality
in which hundreds of thousands of people eked out a living as itinerant
laborers. By studying a selection of texts dealing with historical
, economic, sociological and other issues connected with the life
of the wandering poor, this class will acquaint students with a
neglected aspect of life in nineteenth-century America.
Students
wishing to participate in this class must be willing to devote significant
time and effort to preparatory reading. To obtain a “Schein”
for this class, students will be required to work on a series of
assignments drawing on the full range of their academic skills.
Prospective students are advised to acquaint themselves with the
general aspects of the subject ahead of time. The required reading
will be made available by the beginning of term. |
PS
Literaturstudien
Hawthorne:
The Scarlet Letter
Mi 13-15 h |
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The
Scarlet Letter tells the story of a woman who has been condemned
to lifelong punishment for committing a single sin but does not
allow this unjust sentence to crush her spirit. As one of the great
novels in American literature, Hawthorne's classic text is perfectly
suited for a class that sets out to acquaint students with the basic
knowledge and skills needed to read, analyze, and comment competently
on literary texts. Students will learn about the basic concepts
of literary scholarship and will have ample opportunities to apply
them to the novel.
Prospective
participants must be prepared to participate actively and to commit
themselves to regular reading and writing assignments. Students
are expected to have read the text of the novel by the beginning
of term.
Required text
(make sure you get exactly this edition): Nathaniel Hawthorne, The
Scarlet Letter. Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism. Ed. Ross
C Murfin (Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press, 1991). ISBN:
0312035462
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HS
Literaturstudien
Literary
Images of the South Seas
Mi
15-17 h
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The
South Seas have always had a fascination for visitors from the Western
world. From the early days of travel to the modern era, the tropical
landscape and the exotic peoples have been a challenge and an inspiration
to the literary imagination. This course will explore how writers
such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Herman Melville, Mark Twain, Jack
London and others recorded their impressions in travelogues and fiction
and thus created a body of literature filled with diverse images of
the Pacific world.
To receive credit for this class, students are required to complete
oral and written assignments and to submit a portfolio reflecting
the various activities undertaken throughout the semester. To maximize
the time available for analysis and discussion, it is important
for students to have read Jack London's The Log of the Snark by
the beginning of term.
Required text
(make sure you get exactly this edition): Jack London, The Cruise
of the Snark (New York : Penguin Books, 2004), ISBN: 0142437735.
– Supplementary texts will be made available by the beginning
of term.
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