Prof. Dr. Holger Kersten
Anglistik/Amerikanistik
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik

 
 

Veranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2019
Lehrangebot im Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg


Aufbaumodul Kulturwissenschaft 1 / I (Angloamerikanische Geschichte)
"We Are Better Than This" – Searching for Values in American Culture and Politics
Do, 8:00 - 12:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR2

In his editorial for the February 11/18, 2019, issue of The Nation, journalist and author John Nichols wrote that, "the first two years of [President] Trump’s tenure in the White House have upended all the norms of American politics and governing, creating not only chaos but a sense of foreboding about the stability of the country." He went on to say that the political development that has taken place since Trump's inauguration has revealed "deep vulnerabilities of the American experiment."* Previous to Nichols's verdict, two former presidents used the occasion of senator John McCain's memorial service to assert that the deep divisions in American politics were not an accurate reflection of the country's true nature. "We are better than this," George W. Bush said in his eulogy, "America is better than this."**

Taking its cue from this determined insistence that the current image of the United States is not an accurate reflection of its national character, this class will take a historical perspective to explore what might be seen as the foundational values of a nation, often called the "oldest democracy in the world," that originated from the famous belief that "all men are created equal." Since the time of the Declaration of Independence, and perhaps even before that, the United States of America has seen itself as an exceptional nation, different from – and better than – other countries. By examining primary documents, including presidential speeches, legislative acts, letters, essays, as well as research literature, this class will familiarize students with a central aspect of American history and culture and stimulate reflection on the current state of affairs in American political and cultural life.

Students interested in signing up for this class must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. Reading material will be made available in the course of the semester.

* John Nichols. "Trump at Two." The Nation 11 Feb 2018, 2019: 3. Print.
** Peter Baker. "In McCain Memorial Service, Two Presidents Offer Tribute, and a Contrast to Trump." New York Times 1 Sept 2019.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class. ILIAS will be used as an online communications platform during the semester. Make sure that you have access to it, and enroll as soon as this specific webspace has been opened (look under "Lernobjekte").


Vertiefungsmodul: Amerikanistik Literatur II
Food in American Culture
Di, 18:00 - 20:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Str. 35, SR 2
It is probably fair to say that many people would find it hard to express enthusiasm about food in America. The ubiquitous images of fast food in advertizing and popular culture and the celebration of the hamburger as the "all-American meal" are so powerful that they overshadow most other aspects of food culture in the United States. In reality, however, food in American culture is a large and complex matter, and anyone who is willing to approach the subject with an open mind is likely to gain surprising insights into American culture in general. This course will offer participants an opportunity to study, analyze, and understand the various aspects that are a part of the cultural debate about food in the United States.

Students interested in signing up for this class must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. To receive full credit for this class (5 CP), students will have to produce a "Hausarbeit." Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves in advance with the general aspects of this subject. Study material will be made available in the course of the semester.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class. ILIAS will be used as an online communications platform during the semester. Make sure that you have access to it, and enroll as soon as this specific webspace has been opened (look under "Lernobjekte").


Vertiefungsmodul: Kulturwissenschaft I
Satirical Voices in American Culture
Do, 12:00 - 14:00, Seminarraum 10 (Raum 2.37) [EA 26-27]

Fast food ranks high on the list of features that people worldwide associate with American culture. Resulting from assembly-line techniques and rigid standardization, phenomenally successful and perfectly adapted to America's car culture, it embodies many elements that are regarded as a characteristically "American." The rise of fast food can be seen as one of America's entrepreneurial feats, a vivid illustration of the economic power of a business idea that has appealed to customers all over the world.

The promise of cheap food, familiar taste, and consistent quality, however, rests on a complex network of problematic economic and social practices. These are problems that go beyond an individual's troubling suspicion that eating fast food may not be healthy. As Eric Schlosser shows in his book Fast Food Nation, an intensive look at the fast-food industry reveals how this particular aspect of American food culture affects the lives of American citizens in a surprising and sometimes shocking variety of ways. His publication is an impressive study that brings to light how a seemingly innocuous feature of American popular culture has an intensive impact on America's political, social, and cultural life.

Based on an intensive reading of Fast Food Nation, this class will focus on aspects that have lost nothing of their relevance since the book first appeared in 2001. They include economic perspectives, health issues, environmental problems, and questions of workers rights.

Prospective participants are expected to have purchased and read a copy of Fast Food Nation by the beginning of term. They are also strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves in advance with the general aspects of this subject. They must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. More information about the specific requirements will be announced in the first session.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class. ILIAS will be used as an online communications platform during the semester. Make sure that you have access to it, and enroll as soon as this specific webspace has been opened (look under "Lernobjekte").


Forschungskolloquium Angloamerikanische Kulturwissenschaft / Literaturwissenschaft
Forschungskolloquium Amerikanistik: Literatur und Kultur
Di, 16:00 - 18:00, Adam-Kuckhoff-Straße 35, SR 3.04

This seminar provides students working on their final thesis with a forum to present their research plans, report on the progress of their work, and discuss research-related questions relevant to their theses. The class aims at supporting students in developing their initial ideas, improving the design of their projects, and exploring further ramifications of their respective topics. The format chosen for this class creates opportunities to exchange ideas with other students and faculty members, and allows students to practice their presentation skills in a friendly and supportive academic setting. Further details will be announced during the first session.

Please use Stud.IP to register for this class.


 
  Version vom 08.07.2019