A deeper understanding of social aspects of culture (as a “way of life”), a basic understanding of subcultures and fan cultures studies, and an applied understanding of net-related media studies concepts.

In this proseminar we will examine how and in how far the internet influences aspects of interpersonal interaction, such as group formation (of, for instance, subcultures and fan cultures), social activism, yet also notions of personal and national identity. In order to do so we will be clarifying some technical and socio-cultural basics of the Internet and the World Wide Web, and, given the (not so recent) discontent about the latter, especially with respect to questions of power and regulation, we will also consider criticism against the 'medium' and why even web pioneers such as Jaron Lanier have become skeptical of a once utopian project.

Our main work, however, will be a survey of various contemporary net phenomena with a particular focus on U.S. participants, which range from “Net Goths”, “Twilight Moms”, and P2P users over fan fiction writers, trolls and shitstorms to hackers, the Anonymous collective and DIY computing.

Readings, discussions, analyses, and presentations.

Active participation, presentation, term-paper of ca. 3,500 words

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

For the Teacher Training Program (Lehramtsstudium: 344): 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.