LFU:online

Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Mag. Georg Engel Mag. Georg Engel

610008

Discourse/Identitiy: American Cultures: American Cultural Icons: Inside and Outside Perceptions

PS 2

5

wöch.

semestral

Englisch

During the Bush years there was a widening gap between the outside and inside perceptions of American cultural icons, which are meant to give a quintessential view of what America is believed to be or meant to stand for. Behind every icon there is a complex history of its cultural formation and of its reception, within American society, on the one hand, and, on the other, by the outside world. This process is subject to constant change, which was particularly noticeable during the rise of anti-Americanism around the world and which, hopefully, will take a turn to a more positive view of American identities in the present times of change under Obama. In the proseminar we want to analyze such icons as the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, McDonald’s, the WTC, blue jeans, and others and find out the complexity of different social and cultural meanings conveyed to American consumers and to outside viewers. Thus we will compare the self-perception of American identity and its partly changed perception by other/outside cultures.

Finding relevant information/material (of sufficient credibility); writing a research paper; effectively presenting a paper; developing debating skills within the peer group;

Student presentations; discussion; final exam

Anmeldungsvoraussetzung/en im BA: positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmoduls 19 Entspricht im Diplomstudium (343): PS2: American Culture Entspricht im Lehramtsstudium (344): PS2: American Culture
Beginn: 6.10.2009