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

 
 

Veranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2023
Lehrangebot im Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg


Aufbaumodul Kulturwissenschaft 1 / I (Angloamerikanische Geschichte)
Civil Rights and Civil Disobedience in American Culture
Do, 8:00 - 12:00 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR3

This course will explore the historical and cultural significance of civil rights and civil disobedience in the United States. Through an examination of the ways in which individuals and groups have utilized nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and other forms of protest to advance their rights and bring about social and political change, students will gain insight into the complex dynamics of power, justice, and social transformation. The course will closely scrutinize key moments in American history, including the struggle for independence, Thoreau's seminal position on civil disobedience, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as examples of civil disobedience pertaining to Native Americans and American women. By critically engaging with these pivotal events, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the role of civil disobedience in American society, and its potential to effect positive change.

The course requires active student engagement and participation and will involve weekly reading and writing assignments. These activities are integral to the learning experience and will contribute to students' comprehension of the course material. Attending class regularly is crucial to success in this course. Therefore, it is expected that students prioritize this course by carefully assessing their extracurricular commitments to ensure they can devote sufficient time and energy to their studies.

Full credit for this course (5 CP) will be granted upon successful completion of a written end-of-term assignment. Specific instructions and requirements will be provided at the appropriate time during the semester.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class.


Vertiefungsmodul Amerikanistik/Literatur I
The Essay in American Literature and Culture
Di, 16:00 - 18:00 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR2

This course will explore the history and cultural significance of the essay as a literary genre in American culture. It will examine the development of the essay from early American literature to the present day, and consider how the essay has been used to engage with cultural, social, and political issues. Through reading and writing, students will develop a critical understanding of the essay as a form of expression and reflection in American literature and culture.

This course requires a high level of student commitment and participation. Weekly sessions will be based on reading and writing assignments involving a considerable investment of time and effort on the part of all seminar participants. Attendance is expected on a regular basis. Students should make sure that their extracurricular activities permit them to dedicate enough time to this course. Reading materials will be provided throughout the semester.

To earn full credit for this course (5 CP), students must complete a written end-of-term assignment. Detailed instructions and information about the specific requirements will be provided during the first class session.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class.


Vertiefungsmodul Amerikanistik/Literatur II
Loyalty to the Earth: Environmental Activism in America  
Do, 12:00 - 14:00 
| Seminarraum Indologie (26)

This class explores the evolution of environmental activism in the United States from the late 19th century to the present day. Students will study the historical roots of environmentalism, the birth of the modern environmental movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and key figures and organizations involved in environmental activism. The course will examine the strategies and tactics used by activists, the intersections of environmental issues with race and gender, and the role of political activism in shaping environmental policy. Case studies of environmental campaigns, will be analyzed to understand their impact on environmentalism and policy. Through this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the history, philosophy, and practices of environmental activism in the United States, and the challenges and opportunities facing the movement today.

This course demands a significant level of serious commitment and active involvement from students. Weekly sessions will entail extensive reading and writing assignments that will require a substantial investment of time and effort from all participants. Regular attendance is expected, and students should ensure that their extracurricular activities do not interfere with their ability to dedicate adequate time to this course. Reading materials will be supplied throughout the semester.

To receive full credit for this course (5 CP), students must complete a written end-of-term assignment that meets specific requirements. Detailed instructions will be given at an appropriate moment during the semester.

Please use Stud.IP  to register for this class.

Forschungskolloquium Angloamerikanische Kulturwissenschaft / Literaturwissenschaft
Forschungskolloquium Amerikanistik: Literatur und Kultur
Di, 18:00 - 20:00 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR3

This course will provide advanced students with a forum to present and discuss their current B.A., M.A., or Staatsexamen projects dealing with topics from American literature and American culture. The format provides opportunities for constructive feedback and helpful suggestions regarding research techniques and the challenges arising from working on a larger project. Details about the specifics for this class will be addressed in the first session.

If you intend to write your final thesis (B.A., M.A. or Staatsexamensarbeit) in the course of the upcoming winter term, but have not decided on an advisor and a specific topic, please contact me by email before the semester starts in April.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class.


 
  Version vom 01.03.2023