120691 PS Proseminar Cultural and Media Studies (2019W)

In this course, we will shed a light on the historical and cultural significance of the U.S. presidency with a specific emphasis on the last three administrations. We will look at the presidency in relation to American civil religion, from a celebrity studies perspective, and as a cultural construction. Apart from studying the office of the president itself, we will briefly familiarize ourselves with the political system of the United States and the origins of the presidential office. Moreover, by taking a closer look at examples such as the role of the first lady and the first family, the presidential seal, the White House and other relevant aspects, we will try to obtain a better understanding of the individual features that constitute the presidency and which ultimately influence its cultural impact. This will be further underlined by studying fictional or fictionalized presidents or presidential candidates in a variety of cultural texts such as movies like Long Shot (2019)), TV shows such as Designated Survivor (2016-2019) or Commander in Chief (2005-2006), comedic performances (e.g. Saturday Night Live) or meme culture.

At the end of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the U.S. presidency and its components as well as fictional cultural texts via methods such as visual and discourse analysis and close reading. Students will also have gained theoretical understanding of the U.S. presidency in its cultural and historical context though secondary readings from the fields of American studies, celebrity studies, and media studies.