Universität Wien

123421 SE Literary & Cultural Studies Seminar / BA Paper / MA American / North American Lit. Studies (2023S)

Gendered Perspectives on American Astroculture in the First and Second Space Ages

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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).

Details

max. 18 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Because of a conference engagement, the session on Fri, March 31 will be held online.
Because of a Summer School in the US to which I have been invited as faculty, the seminar will not take place on Fri, June 9.
The program also features two guest talks by experts in the field: Dr. Jens Temmen (Univ. Düsseldorf) on March 24 and Eren Ileri, MA (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna) on June 2.

  • Friday 10.03. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 17.03. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 24.03. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 31.03. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 21.04. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 28.04. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 05.05. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 12.05. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 19.05. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 26.05. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 02.06. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 09.06. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 16.06. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 23.06. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A
  • Friday 30.06. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum 6 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-22.A

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

GENDERED PERSPECTIVES ON US-AMERICAN ASTROCULTURES
In this seminar in literary and cultural studies, we will examine literature, film, TV series, and other medial art (e.g. computer games) from the first and the second Space Ages in terms of their gendered narratives and representations. We will critically explore constructions of femininity and masculinity with regard to the astronaut figure, astronaut wives, scientists, and other popular figures of spacefaring. Race, class, and sexuality will be additional categories of difference addressed: how are these figures imagined in American popular culture, and what is their cultural function in the race for the final frontier?
Goals: Students will be familiar with dominant narratives of outer space conquest in their gendered dimensions. They will be able to critically interrogate popular cultural forms in this regard and be able to execute their own research papers at the end of the course, based on oral presentations and feedback (both peer and teacher).
After an input phase in March, students will develop and present their own research projects in class in teams of two.

Assessment and permitted materials

active class participation (max. 2 missed sessions), incl. discussions and minor assignments
oral presentation (in pairs)
written seminar paper (due August 31)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

active class participation 25% (incl. minor written tasks at home)
oral presentation in teams of two 25%
written seminar paper (due August 31) 50%

Examination topics

all material discussed in class: primary and secondary literature and audiovisual material

Reading list

Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff
Norman Mailer, A Fire on the Moon
Lilly Koppel, The Astronauts' Wives Club
Films: Project Moonbase; Interstellar; Hidden Figures
TV Series: Away; Salvation

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612, MA 844(2)
Code/Modul: BA09.2, 10.2, MA 4.1, 4.2
Lehrinhalt: 12-0406

Last modified: Mo 27.02.2023 11:49