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:
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.
Regular Attendance: Your presence is expected at every class session, where both oral participation and in-class written work are essential for obtaining 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.
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
From the colonial era to the present day, the concept of "freedom" has been a central theme in American history and culture. This class will explore the various ways in which Americans have understood and contested the idea of freedom, including the struggles for independence, abolition, women's suffrage, and civil rights.
Through a close reading of primary sources, historical and literary texts, students will be given opportunities to analyze the complex and often contradictory meanings of "freedom" in American history. By examining the ways in which ideas of freedom have been represented and contested in American culture, students will gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles and debates that have shaped the country's history and continue to shape its present.
Vertiefungsmodul Amerikanistik Literatur
Mark Twain's Travels at Home and Abroad: Journeys of Cultural Exploration and Self-Discovery
Di, 18:15 - 19:45 | Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2
The American writer Mark Twain is primarily known for his novels, most importantly, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His literary fame, however, originated with the publication of The Innocents Abroad, a book describing a "pleasure trip" to the Mediterranean in 1869. The success of this travelogue prompted him to write four more full-length travel books. All of these works showcase his interest in unfamiliar places and illustrate his ability to comment on and observe the people and cultures he encountered.
This course engages with selections from Mark Twain's travel writing, spanning a time range from 1869 to 1897. Through encounters with Twain's keen perception and his witty critiques of cultural practices, historical sites, and social norms, students will develop a more nuanced understanding of Mark Twain as a writer. The readings offer opportunities for an exploration of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of his time. An examination of the genre of travel writing also provides insights into the complexities of seeing and experiencing foreign cultures, and encourages reflection about issues such as American identity and its place in the world.
Aufbaumodul Kulturwissenschaft I
Reading and Writing in American Culture
Do, 8:15 - 9:45 | SR 20 (Raum 2.11) [LuWu 2]
Reading and writing are fundamental skills that have empowered individuals and societies to thrive. They have given people the independence to make informed decisions, participate fully in civic life, and pursue their passions and interests. Throughout American history, reading and writing skills have played an important role in shaping the country's social, cultural, and economic landscape. From the early Puritan settlers, who promoted literacy as a key to spiritual enlightenment, to modern efforts to foster personal autonomy by giving people the ability to access a broad range of written sources, Americans have consistently valued the importance of reading and writing skills.
This course will explore the complex ways in which reading and writing skills have been used to promote social mobility and civic engagement, as well as to exert social control. Students will have opportunities to study the historical and cultural contexts that have shaped reading and writing practices in American culture, and develop a better understanding of the complex relationships between literacy, power, and identity in American society.
Vertiefungsmodul Kulturwissenschaft III
Pictures and Prose: Book Illustrations and Caricatures in 19th-Century American Literature and Culture
Do, 12:15 - 13:45 | Sitzungszimmer, Uniring 5
In 19th-century America, caricatures and book illustrations played an important role in shaping the country's literary and cultural landscape. Artists like Thomas Nast, E.W. Kemble, Winslow Homer, and others used their images to present social commentary, cultural critique, and political satire to the American public.
This class will analyze and interpret images, texts, and historical contexts to gain a deeper understanding of how illustrations and caricatures reflected, influenced, and challenged societal norms, cultural values, and literary themes in 19th-century America. Through a combination of regular assignments, close readings, and in-class discussions, students will learn to take a methodical approach to analyzing the intersections between visual arts, literature, and popular culture, and develop critical thinking skills through the examination of texts and images.