LFU:online

Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Mag. Georg Engel Mag. Georg Engel

610010

Discourse/Identity: American Cultures: 'The Hidden Persuaders': Political and Religious Rhetoric in the USA

PS 2

5

wöch.

semestral

Englisch

Understanding how the persuasive power of speeches is used in the political power game and in a socio-religious context.

This proseminar will deal with a wide variety of political and religious speeches such as inaugural addresses (Kennedy, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama), election campaign and victory speeches, presidential war messages to Congress (Wilson, FDR, George W. Bush after 9/11), historical speeches about political and social issues and causes (slavery, civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, Vietnam War, etc.) and fictional speeches as well as sermons by televangelists. The main focus of the proseminar will be twofold: on the one hand, an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical and persuasive means used by these speakers/preachers to captivate an audience and, on the other hand, the contemporary and historical context of the speeches which reflect and highlight important phases, developments, or events in American history.

Short lecture inputs; analysis of political and religious texts (written, oral, video); student presentations; discussion; final exam

Final exam and research paper

Materials needed for the course will be handed out in class or placed on e-campus.

Anmeldevoraussetzung/en im BA: positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmoduls 19 Anmeldevoraussetzung im Lehramtsstudium: VO2: Introduction to American Literary Studies Entspricht im Lehramtsstudium (344): PS2: American Culture

05.03.2013