Prof. Dr. Holger Kersten
Anglistik/Amerikanistik
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik

 
 

Veranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2008
Wenn Sie an einem meiner Kurse im Sommersemester 2008 teilnehmen möchten, gehen Sie bitte zu meinem Moodle online-Forum:
http://wasb.urz.uni-magdeburg.de/anglistik
Dort können Sie sich über die Funktion "Create a new account" anmelden. Sie erhalten daraufhin eine Bestätigungsmail und können sich dann direkt in die Kurse einschreiben, die Sie gewählt haben. Sollten Sie bei diesem Vorgehen unerwartet auf Probleme stoßen, wird Ihnen meine wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft Jutta Biel (Jutta.Biel@Student.Uni-Magdeburg.de) gerne behilflich sein.
 
Nur für das Bachelorstudium Anglistische Kulturwissenschaft
Einführung: Introduction to Literary Studies (II): Critical Approaches to Literature
 Do 15:15 - 16:45
  This course is designed to introduce students to major critical-interpretive perspectives on literature. It will describe and demonstrate the critical tools needed for perceptive literary analysis. A major goal is to develop an understanding for the fact that different assumptions about literature and its social and cultural contexts have an important effect on the practice of interpretation. Within this framework, the class will introduce students to a basic critical vocabulary, including appropriate terminology, for the analysis of literary texts.

To reduce the intensity of the reading requirements throughout the semester students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves in advance with the contents of the book. Since many of the critical approaches presented in the book are illustrated with reference to specific works of literature it is essential for all participants to have read the following texts by the beginning of term:

 

  • Andrew Marvell, "To His Coy Mistress,"
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Young Goodman Brown,"
  • Alice Walker, "Everyday Use: for your grandmama"
     (all three texts are reprinted in the textbook required for this class)
  • and William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

    • A reading quiz to check your familiarity with these text will be given. The result of the test will be included in the overall grade for the work done during the semester.

    Required text: Wilfred L. Guerin, Earle G. Labor, Lee Morgan, Jeanne C. Reesman, John R. Willingham, A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature, 5th edition, New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, 448 pages (ISBN: 0195160177). Place your order for the book ahead of time so that you have it available when classes start in April.

    		  

    HS Literaturstudien
     Herman Melville's Short Fiction: Selected Readings
    Di 15:15 - 16:45
     
     

    Although he is best known as the author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville is also appreciated as a talented writer of short fiction whose texts address a wide range of topics, including travel impressions, cultural encounters, and questions of identity. Melville's texts have been praised as dazzling and challenging, as vivid expressions of his virtuosity as a storyteller. – Course work will be based on readings from the required book and additional materials.

    Required text: Herman Melville. Melville's Short Novels: Authoritative Texts, Contexts, Criticism. Ed. Dan McCall. Norton Critical Edition. New York: Norton, 2002 (ISBN: 0-393-97641-6). Place your order for the book ahead of time so that you have it available when classes start in April.
    HS Kulturstudien
    Water in American Culture
     Di 13:15 - 13:45
     

    Images of water occupy an important position in American culture, and its symbolic power manifests itself is variety of ways. Americans of various cultural backgrounds have explored the issue in songs, literature, movies, and other forms of expression. This course intends to familiarize students with a selection of texts about the meaning of water in American culture. At the same time, it will draw attention to the fact that "water" is a resource and a theme that transcends national boundaries.

    Course work will be based on readings from textbooks, historical documents, literary texts, and other suitable materials.
    HS Kulturstudien
    The Presidency in American Culture and Politics
     Do 13:15 - 14:45
     

    Ever since President George W. Bush came to office in 2000 there has been a debate about the political nature of the Presidency of the United States. For obvious reasons, Bush's foreign policy has received critical attention from both inside and outside the country, but the effect of his administration on domestic issues (environment, security, health, education) has likewise been significant. As the Bush Presidency is coming to an end and the race to the White House is accelerating, this class will examine a variety of aspects connected with the presidency in American culture and politics.

    Course work will be based on readings from textbooks, historical documents, and other suitable materials.
    		 
      Version vom 30.08.2018