LFU:online

To familiarize students with the relationship between media and culture, especially as that relationship manifests itself in early forms of American cinema.

This seminar is devoted to the first decades of American cinema culture (1890-1915). We will explore a variety of aspects and processes in the emergence and consolidation of the new medium film. These include developments in the production, distribution and exhibition of films, intermedial relations to established artforms and the creation of new forms of spectacle and spectatorship. Besides looking at rarely seen films from the early period, we will deal with early classics such as The Great Train Robbery, Life of an American Fireman and The Dream of a Rarebit Fiend.

Presentations, discussions, reading and writing assignments

Active participation, presentation, research paper

Will be discussed in the first lesson.

Prerequisite for the Master's Programme (812): positive completion of compulsory module 4,
for the Diploma Programme (Diplomstudium: 343) and the Teacher Training Programme (Lehramtsstudium: 344): completed first part of studies

For the Diploma Programme (Diplomstudium: 343): SE2: American Literature/Culture, for Teacher Training Programme (Lehramtsstudium: 344): SE2: American Literature and Culture.

Due to substantial differences in the allocation of ECTS-Credits in various curricula (teacher training program - BA/MA English and American Studies), the requirements for this course vary. Information will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course.