Universität Wien

124642 VO BEd 04.2: Cultural Theories and Popular Culture (2022S)

American Mythologies: Critical Perspectives

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Moodle

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

includes two guest lectures: March 21 (Prof. Steven Hoelscher, U Texas/Austin); June 20 (Prof. Erika Doss, U of Notre Dame); details tba

  • Monday 07.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 14.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 21.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 28.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 04.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 25.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 02.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 09.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 16.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 23.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 30.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 13.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03
  • Monday 20.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C1 UniCampus Hof 2 2G-O1-03

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This lecture course will introduce you to major theoretical approaches, key practices and selected issues relevant to the study of popular cultures with a focus on the United States. We will learn that cultural theories make use of a plurality of approaches and methodologies. This diversity also reflects the plurality of possible meanings that can be associated with the concept of culture in general and popular culture in particular.
The first part of the lecture focusses on methodological aspects and media literacy (from film to music, from digital culture to body studies) as well as myth criticism as one approach in American Studies. In the second part, we will apply these methods to the different "Myths that Made America" (Heike Paul; see course reading), from the Self-Made Man to the Melting Pot, by "doing" Cultural Studies together, analyzing and discussing paintings, photographs, film clips, and other audiovisual material. Throughout the semester, we will investigate key issues such as historical contingencies, identities shaped by intersectionality as there are gender, race or class or the interrelation between power and knowledge.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written Exam (50% Multiple Choice, 50% essay, ca. 500 words)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The benchmark for passing the written exam is at 60%
Grades in %: 1 (very good): 90-100%, 2 (good): 80-89.99%, 3 (satisfactory): 70-79.99%, 4 (pass): 60-69.99%, 5 (fail): 0-59.99%

Examination topics

entire lecture content incl. lecture slides and obligatory course reading

Reading list

Heike Paul, The Myths that Made America (available Open Access at https://www.transcript-verlag.de/media/pdf/57/fd/1b/oa9783839414859qGQqCtbNa1D7p.pdf)

Association in the course directory

Studium: BEd 046 / 407
Code/Modul: BEd 04.2
Lehrinhalt: 12-4642

Last modified: Th 06.10.2022 12:49