Vorlesungsverzeichnis

wöchentlich | Dienstag | 14:15 - 15:45 | 10.04.2012 - 13.07.2012 | C 5.311

The intention of the course is to enable you to understand the development of India from the times of the British Empire to today. In this context we must not forget to learn about the current relations and influences the modern state of India has on Britain and the other way round. Another exciting aspect of this topic is the extreme contrast within the Indian state between society and economy. In order to reach these aims we will have a look at Gandhi and his influence on creating a modern India. For this the film ‘Gandhi’ by Sir Richard Attenborough, published in 1982 can be a good help for you. To understand the political situation of the time in which the film is set, it is necessary to learn some facts about the British Empire. We will do this using a few historical texts, articles and short stories. Both topics will bring us back to the UK and how Gandhi’s achievements changed society and the political influence of the UK. At the end of this course we will look at some present images of India to focus on the sometimes hard to understand diversity between the booming economy in huge cities and the traditional society in the country. Thomas Friedman’s “The World Is Flat” will give us some input on how globalisation triggers India’s booming economy as well as the changes in society since Gandhi’s times. For the latter the film "Outsourced" by John Jeffcoat will give us his picture of globalisation and how this phenomenon influences culture and society. To work with the reader you must buy the following texts: * Attenborough, Richard (1982/2007(DVD)). Ghandi. UK: Columbia Pictures Imig, Ulrich (ed.) (2011). Thomas L. Friedman: The World is Flat: A Se-lection. Berlin: Cornelsen Jeffcoat, John (2006/2008(DVD)). Outsourced. USA: Cinemavault/20th Century Fox *= recomended text; not compulsory and download the reader BEFORE the course starts

wöchentlich | Donnerstag | 08:15 - 09:45 | 10.04.2012 - 13.07.2012 | C 5.109

In this tutorial, students will have the chance to ask and discuss questions which stem from the lecture. On occasion, practical applications will be treated. Moreover, this lesson will serve to prepare for and/or explain the results of the assignment (SL). All topics and appointments will be discussed directly in the lectures. This tutorial is not a substitute for the lecture and is not required. It is especially the place for students who feel lost in larger lectures.

wöchentlich | Montag | 10:15 - 11:45 | 10.04.2012 - 13.07.2012 | C 5.311

In this course we are having a look at how the different kinds of media influence us and society. Media from our point of view as students or scholars of language is always the view on a text. In modern linguistics a text can be made of letters, words, sentences or pictures or both and many other means of communication. There are many different ways to convey a message. The latter is what we are mainly interested in. We are going to look a different types and styles of media. Besides print media we will look at radio, TV, film and the internet. After that we have the basis to analyse the different media. With the analysis we put ourselves into the position of criticising and identifying to which of the type or style one text or the other belongs to. Two examples, we are going to look at, will be a radio play from 1938:” War of the Worlds” by Orson Welles. Furthermore we are going to watch a feature film by Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog). This film is two things at once. First it is a type of media - an audiovisual text - and at the same time tells us something of how language can be used to impose a certain picture of reality onto a group of people. Both types of text show how influencing media can be using the technology of its days. Last but not least we focus on the Internet as a special phenomenon in modern society. The Internet is a very fascinating as well as frightening media. It combines many older media types and more. We are going to analyse the benefits as well as the dangers of the Internet. In order to do that we will have a look at the upcoming US Presidential Elections and how the different media try to influence the decission of the voters. Please buy the following texts: Levinson, Barry (2002 [DVD]). Wag the Dog. USA. Wells, H.G, Koch, Howard, and Welles, Orson (2009). The War of the Worlds. München: Hörbuchverlag. [CD or download]

wöchentlich | Mittwoch | 10:15 - 11:45 | 10.04.2012 - 13.07.2012 | C 5.311

In this course we are having a look at how the different kinds of media influence us and society. Media from our point of view as students or scholars of language is always the view on a text. In modern linguistics a text can be made of letters, words, sentences or pictures or both and many other means of communication. There are many different ways to convey a message. The latter is what we are mainly interested in. We are going to look a different types and styles of media. Besides print media we will look at radio, TV, film and the internet. After that we have the basis to analyse the different media. With the analysis we put ourselves into the position of criticising and identifying to which of the type or style one text or the other belongs to. Two examples, we are going to look at, will be a radio play from 1938:” War of the Worlds” by Orson Welles. Furthermore we are going to watch a feature film by Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog). This film is two things at once. First it is a type of media - an audiovisual text - and at the same time tells us something of how language can be used to impose a certain picture of reality onto a group of people. Both types of text show how influencing media can be using the technology of its days. Last but not least we focus on the Internet as a special phenomenon in modern society. The Internet is a very fascinating as well as frightening media. It combines many older media types and more. We are going to analyse the benefits as well as the dangers of the Internet. In order to do that we will have a look at the upcoming US Presidential Elections and how the different media try to influence the decission of the voters. Please buy the following texts: Levinson, Barry (2002 [DVD]). Wag the Dog. USA. Wells, H.G, Koch, Howard, and Welles, Orson (2009). The War of the Worlds. München: Hörbuchverlag. [CD or download]

wöchentlich | Montag | 14:15 - 15:45 | 10.04.2012 - 13.07.2012 | C 3.120

This introduction to area studies is designed to provide students with an understanding of key terminology and readings in the field of area studies and intercultural communication. Students will be introduced to academic research methods in the field. Practical applications and goals for the classroom will also be discussed.