LFU:online

Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Mag. Dr. Andreas Leisner Mag. Dr. Andreas Leisner

610017

Critical Interfaces: American Cultures: Theater of War: Conflict and Crisis in American History, Literature, and Film

PS 2

5

wöch.

semestral

Englisch

To provide students with an overview of and insight into the major conflicts and crises in American history via works of film and literature.

Conflicts and crises define the history of a country and influence the enigmatic concept of “national character.” The United States has been exceptional in its reaction to and treatment of these scenarios, inviting a critical discussion in order to arrive at both a historical overview and an understanding of these defining phases. The course aims to introduce students to the respective events, their effects on the nation’s understanding of itself, and the construction and reception of these crucial moments in film and literature. Participants will thus deal with a variety of conflict-laden episodes in U.S. history, ranging from the War of Independence to Vietnam, September 11 and the quagmires of recent American theaters of war.

Introduction to the topic, discussion, presentation of papers

Active participation, reading and discussion of theoretical texts, term paper (10-15 pages), presentation of papers in class

Provided at the beginning of the semester

Anmeldevoraussetzung/en im BA: positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmodul 19 Anmeldevoraussetzung im Lehramtsstudium: VO2: Introduction to American Literary Studies Entspricht im Lehramtsstudium (344): PS2: American Culture
Beginn: 1.10.2012