With the ongoing expansion of the internet and the digital activities it encourages, academics have begun to pay more attention to this virtual sphere. For a number of years, efforts have been made to create ideas and develop concepts to use the internet as a source and a showcase for academic activities. In the meantime, the "digital humanities" have grown to a point that numerous research projects can be found online. This class is designed to introduce students to the notion of "digital humanities" in general, and "digital American studies" in particular. After an introductory phase involving the study of foundational texts, and the exploration of digital resources for academic work, participants will be given the opportunity to work on an online project within the framework of an academic blog.

Students interested in signing up for this online class must be prepared to participate actively in class and to commit themselves to weekly reading, research, and writing assignments. They must also be willing to invest additional effort and time to acquire and practice the basic technical skills needed to work with an academic blog. – Further details about the practical research and presentation project devoted to the American writer Mark Twain will be announced in the introductory sessions. Reading 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.

For a very long time, the United States has thought of itself as representing the idea of democracy. European countries, too, have seen in American more than just another nation. As noted historian Carl L. Becker has written, "In its origins and in its history, the United States stands for democracy or it stands for nothing." However, despite the lofty claims in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal," American history has included many moments in which the country's commitment to democratic ideals has been called into question. The fights against Slavery, and the struggle for women's rights, minority rights, voting rights, and other issues have provided crucial moments testing the foundations of American democracy in the past. Current developments in Washington have led observers at home and abroad to speculate, like Paul Krugman, Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York and winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, that "American Democracy May Be Dying" (New York Times, April 9, 2020).

On November 3, 2020, the United States performs a crucial ritual which lies at the heart of a democracy. It is the moment when American citizens decide upon the way they want to live. Since the outcome will have a significant impact on America and the world, this moment in time provides an ideal opportunity for this class to take a closer look at the historical background and the current manifestations of American democracy. In this context, it will take a look at the concept of democracy, its reality in American history, and its contemporary political and cultural implications.

Students interested in signing up for this online class must be prepared to participate actively and to commit themselves to weekly reading and writing assignments. Reading 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.

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.