120065 PS Literature: Introductory Seminar (304) (2009W)

"Variations of the American Dream in American Literature from the 18th Century to the Present"

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

Diese LVA gilt für das Bachelorstudium nach UG2002, das Diplomstudium (UniStG) und das Lehramt UF Englisch (UniStG).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Registration is open from Tu 15.09.2009 14:00 to Mo 28.09.2009 14:00
Registration is open from Fr 02.10.2009 14:00 to Th 08.10.2009 14:00
Deregistration possible until Sa 31.10.2009 23:59

Details

max. 24 participants

Language: English

Lecturers

Bettina Thurner

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Friday 16.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 23.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 30.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 06.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 13.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 20.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 27.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 04.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 11.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 18.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 08.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 15.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 22.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 29.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The elusive concept of the American Dream was coined as late as 1931 by the American historian James Truslow Adams and has, from the country’s (European) beginnings onwards, served to create an image of America as a land of dreams. Yet the concept remains elusive and difficult to describe. However, several elements such as progress, success, liberty, equality, multiculturalism etc. can be seen as its constituents and these do much to generate images of America on e.g. a mythic, religious, or political level.
In this class we will investigate the development of the literature and texts of the American Dream, a notion of great promise, and examine the tensions between idealistic and materialistic aspirations amongst the writers and its protagonists, and who have created different variants of the catchphrase.
We will discuss texts in political rhetoric as well as texts by authors such as Benjamin Franklin, H. de Crèvecoeur, Thomas Jefferson, R.W. Emerson, W.Whitman, Mary Antin, Anzia Yezierska, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Langston Hughes etc.

Assessment and permitted materials

participation in class, presentation of term paper, final written exam

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Research-based analysis of poetry, drama and fiction

Examination topics

Interactive Introductory Seminar

Reading list

A Reader will be provided (at Copyshop Schwarzspanierstraße/Ecke Garnisongasse), Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby will be available at Facultas on Campus

Association in the course directory

Diplom 343, UF 344, BA 612

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33