To earn credits in this class, it is essential that you participate actively and regularly. Without in-class participation, you will not be able to receive credit for the course. Here are the key requirements:
Regular Attendance: Your presence is expected at every class session, as your oral contributions are the basis for receiving your "Studiennachweis." If you need to miss a class, please notify me in advance.
Preparation: You are expected to thoroughly prepare for each class session by completing assigned readings, writing assignments, and other tasks. The reading workload is approximately 15-30 pages per week.
Active Engagement: Class sessions are designed for discussion and engagement with the material. You are expected to contribute to class discussions, share your thoughts and ideas, and engage with your peers.
Independent Work: You will be expected to complete independent research and assignments outside of class time, which may include library research, writing, and other tasks. Make sure to have time available for regular visits to the Steintor library.
Time Commitment: This class requires a significant time commitment, including regular attendance, preparation, and independent work. You should ensure that your extracurricular activities do not interfere with your ability to dedicate adequate time to this course.
Studienleistung / Modulleistung
Students can earn two types of credit in this class:
1) A 'Studienleistung' is recorded in the university's computer system when all tasks set during the lecture period have been completed, regular and satisfactory in-class participation has been achieved, and written assignments have been submitted on time, in full, and of good quality.
2) Students receive credit for a "Modulleistung" upon successfully
completing the "Modulabschlussprüfung". Detailed instructions on the
nature of the final exam will be given at an appropriate time during
the semester.
Please use Stud.IP to register for this class
Keeping the Republic: Historical and Contemporary Inquiries into American Democracy
Di, 16:15 - 17:45 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2
This course offers an exploration of the complexities and challenges of American democracy, from its founding to the present day. Through a critical examination of historical and contemporary texts, students will analyze the ideals and realities of American governance, investigating the tensions between liberty and equality, individual rights and collective responsibilities, and the ongoing struggles for justice and representation. The class will examine relevant documents and positions adopted by influential people, including America's foundational documents, texts by Tocqueville, Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and contemporary thinkers.
Through engagement with primary sources, scholarly debates, and current events, students will gain a deeper understanding of America's democratic heritage and its ongoing evolution, as well as develop critical thinking skills to navigate contemporary debates, particularly in the context of this year's presidential elections and their implications for the future of US democracy.
Vertiefungsmodul Amerikanistik Literatur
Mark Twain on the Digital Screen: Exploring Literary Texts with Online Tools
Di, 18:15 - 19:45 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2
With the increasing presence of digital media in daily life, scholars are looking for ways to harness digital tools to supplement traditional ways of literary studies. This class is designed to introduce students to the emerging field of digital humanities and its applications in literary studies by examining the ways in which the study of Mark Twain and his writings can benefit from these new tools. Through a combination of introductory readings on Twain's life and work, hands-on exploration of digital tools for literary analysis, and practical application of these tools, participants will develop a critical perspective on the usefulness of digital approaches to literary study.
By the end of the course, students will have gained a basic understanding of Twain's literary legacy, the skills to effectively utilize digital tools as a supplement to traditional literary analysis and research, and critical insights into the possibilities and limitations of such an approach.
Vertiefungsmodul Kulturwissenschaft I
"By the Bootstraps": Advice, Hope, and Promises for Achieving the American Dream
Do, 8:15 - 9:45 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2
The "American Dream" is a complex and multifaceted concept that is often oversimplified or misunderstood. This class offers an opportunity to explore the concept in depth, examining its historical and contemporary meanings, and its impact on individuals and American society. Through a critical analysis of primary sources, fiction, and nonfiction texts, students will examine the ways in which the American Dream has been constructed, contested, and reinterpreted over time. The course will engage with a range of influential texts, including writings by Benjamin Franklin, Horatio Alger, Arthur Miller, and contemporary writers that address this central cultural myth. "By the end of this class, students will have a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of the American Dream and its various meanings, and will be able to think critically about its implications for American culture and identity. — This class will be relevant for students preparing to write their "Staatsexamensessay" ( Arbeit unter Aufsicht: Amerikanische Kulturwissenschaft).
Aufbaumodul Amerikanistik Literatur
Beyond Literary Imagination: Exploring the Value of Nonfiction Writing
Do, 12:15 - 13:45 | Hörsaal F [Melanchthonianum]
While fiction writing, driven by imagination and creative expression, often dominates the literary landscape, nonfiction writers offer different perspectives on American culture, using fact, observation, and research to inform, educate, persuade, or simply entertain readers about a particular subject or issue. Through close readings and critical analysis, students will explore a selection of influential nonfiction texts that offer readers opportunities to think critically about the American experience. The reading list will include works by notable nonfiction writers such as Barbara Ehrenreich, Bill McKibben, and Rebecca Solnit, among others, whose writings on topics like social justice, politics, and environmentalism have had a significant impact on contemporary American discourse. By examining the ways in which nonfiction writers engage with a variety of topics, including culture, politics, social issues, and the environment, students will gain insights into the power of nonfiction to shape people's understanding of the world they inhabit. The class will thus provide opportunities for students to expand their understanding of professional writing while practicing and refining their critical thinking and analytical skills.