LFU:online

In this course students learn to analyze various manifestations of „manipulated humans“ in American films and literary examples, and interpreting them according to narratological and intercultural theories.

From voodoo puppets and marionettes to the big-brother-nightmare and futuristic androids – the idea of manipulating humans is an old fascination. The notion of being only a helpless puppet, at the mercy of forces greater than oneself, is frightening, yet so intriguing that over the centuries, many artists have been using it as a strong theme spanning across various cultures and media. Manipulated humans produce questions of dependency, dominance, and control, which strongly seem to contradict the very American motifs of freedom and self-determination.

This course discusses selected examples of human puppets in American films and literature through narratology, theater studies and philosophy. By placing the works in a wider political and sociological context, it becomes apparent that the phenomenon is not only deeply rooted in the architecture of narration itself, but also tackles the cornerstones of the US constitution and American psyche.

General introduction to the subjects, lectures, presentations of papers, discussion. 

Written paper, presentation, class participation.

Basic readings, from books and articles, the latter posted on OLAT.

for the Bachelor Program (612): positive completion of compulsory module 14
for Bachelor Program Lehramt: positive completion of compulsory module 16
for the Teacher Training Program (Lehramtsstudium: 344): VO2: Introduction to American Literary Studies

BA "old" (2009): PS2: Critical Interafaces: American Cultures
Teacher Training Program "old" (2001): PS2: American 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.