Veranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2018 | Kersten

Prof. Dr. Holger Kersten
Anglistik/Amerikanistik

Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik

Veranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2018
Lehrangebot im Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

Aufbaumodul Kulturwissenschaft 1 / I (Angloamerikanische Geschichte)
The American Creed: An Exploration of America´s Foundational Values and Beliefs
Do, 10:00 - 12:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR2

With the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, much of what has been regarded as solid and stable in American politics and culture seems to have been called into question. In response to a number of unconventional political decisions, critical voices have expressed concern that America might undergo a fundamental change under this president. In November 2017, New York Times journalist Thomas B. Edsall wrote that "Trump has gravely damaged the premises and procedures that undergird American democracy." The president himself, however, continues to promise the American people that he will "make America great again."

This class takes its cue from these contradictory visions of America to explore what might be seen as the foundational values of a nation, often called the "oldest democracy in the world," that originated from the famous belief that "all men are created equal." Since the time of the Declaration of Independence, and perhaps even before that, the United States of America has seen itself as an exceptional nation, different from – and better than – other countries. By examining primary documents, including presidential speeches, legislative acts, letters, essays, as well as research literature, this class will familiarize students with a central aspect of American history and culture and stimulate reflection on the current state of affairs in American political and cultural life.

Students interested in signing up for this class must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. Reading material will be made available in the course of the semester.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class. ILIAS will be used as an online communications platform during the semester. Make sure that you have access to it, and enroll as soon as this specific webspace has been opened (look under "Lernobjekte").

Vertiefungsmodul: Amerikanistik Literatur II
Environmental Writing in the USA: Classic Texts
Di, 18:00 - 20:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2

Despite the fact that the United States is often perceived as a country of technological progress and innovation, the nation itself has exhibited a particularly intense connection to its environmental heritage. Writing about nature and the environment has been an important component of American literature, and many of the texts that have emerged in this context are regarded as important markers in American culture.

This class is devoted to an intensive reading and discussions of a selection of texts that occupy central positions in American environmental writing. Students will thus be given an opportunity to become familiar with major expressions of environmental positions and concerns. They will also develop an understanding of the specific contexts in which these texts emerged and acquire a sense of the way in which certain key issues in environmental thinking have been expressed in the course of American literary and cultural history.

Vertiefungsmodul: Kulturwissenschaft I
"Happy Meals" and Their Impact on Health, Nature, and the Economy – Exploring American Life Through its Fast Food Culture
Do, 14:00 - 16:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2

Fast food ranks high on the list of features that people worldwide associate with American culture. Resulting from assembly-line techniques and rigid standardization, phenomenally successful and perfectly adapted to America's car culture, it embodies many elements that are regarded as a characteristically "American." The rise of fast food can be seen as one of America's entrepreneurial feats, a vivid illustration of the economic power of a business idea that has appealed to customers all over the world.

The promise of cheap food, familiar taste, and consistent quality, however, rests on a complex network of problematic economic and social practices. These are problems that go beyond an individual's troubling suspicion that eating fast food may not be healthy. As Eric Schlosser shows in his book Fast Food Nation, an intensive look at the fast-food industry reveals how this particular aspect of American food culture affects the lives of American citizens in a surprising and sometimes shocking variety of ways. His publication is an impressive study that brings to light how a seemingly innocuous feature of American popular culture has an intensive impact on America's political, social, and cultural life.

Based on an intensive reading of Fast Food Nation, this class will focus on aspects that have lost nothing of their relevance since the book first appeared in 2001. They include economic perspectives, health issues, environmental problems, and questions of workers rights.

Prospective participants are expected to have purchased and read a copy of Fast Food Nation by the beginning of term. They are also strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves in advance with the general aspects of this subject. They must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. More information about the specific requirements will be announced in the first session.

Forschungskolloquium Angloamerikanische Kulturwissenschaft / Literaturwissenschaft
Forschungskolloquium Amerikanistik: Literatur und Kultur
Di, 16:00 - 18:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Straße 35, SR 3.04

This seminar provides students working on their final thesis with a forum to present their research plans, report on the progress of their work, and discuss research-related questions relevant to their theses. The class aims at supporting students in developing their initial ideas, improving the design of their projects, and exploring further ramifications of their respective topics. The format chosen for this class creates opportunities to exchange ideas with other students and faculty members, and allows students to practice their presentation skills in a friendly and supportive academic setting. Further details will be announced during the first session.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class.

Version vom 30.08.2018