LFU:online

Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Mag. Georg Engel Mag. Georg Engel

610014

"When in the Course of human events?": Great Documents of American History

PS 2

3,5

wöch.

keine Angabe

Englisch

In this proseminar we will read and analyze a selection of great texts from American history which reflect and document the intrinsic idealism of American society and the words of which have been imprinted on the minds of Americans. These texts frequently reflect American society’s diversity as well as its unity and its commitment as a nation to strive to "form a more perfect union." (Of course, we will not close our eyes to the misuse of the words of these great documents for short-term political advantage.) We will not only analyze the texts in isolation but study them in their historical context and try to trace their impact, e. g. on later documents of demands which were modeled after them, such as the Seneca Declaration of Sentiments after the Declaration of Independence. We will include texts from the reading list so that students get some in-depth knowledge and understanding of cultural texts on the reading list.

Selected American documents from different periods of American history.

Finding relevant information/material (of sufficient credibility); effective presentation in class; developing debating skills within the peer group; writing a research paper; formulating essential results in a final test.

Student presentations; discussion; final exam

Students must have passed the "Introduction to American Literature and Culture" to attend this course
Beginn: 11. März 2008