Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Growing up in different contexts (Seminar)

Termin:
wöchentlich | Montag | 14:15 - 15:45 | 14.10.2019 - 31.01.2020 | C 5.325 Seminarraum

Inhalt: Growing up in different contexts: A Transnational Approach to Area Studies "One of the luckiest things that can happen to you in life is, I think, to have a happy childhood“, says Agatha Christie. But, of course, this wish is not always fulfilled, as we all know. Depending on one’s cultural and historical background, as well as one’sfinancial, political and social situation, childhood can be very different, i.e. happy and undisturbed for some and painful and traumatizing for others. In this seminar we will be taking a closer look at different ways of growing up as displayed in short fiction, novels and movies, starting with rather “normal” childhoods in the Western hemisphere, added by a glimpse at children from extreme familiy sitations, i.e. enduring poverty and neglect, those living through times of war and unrest followed by a look at traumatized children in general. Consequently, we will also deal with second-generation and “third culture kids" and the question what impact growing up in different environments with often up to three languages shapes someone's personality. We might also take a closer look at the representation of the topic “Growing up” in school course books. Texts and movies examined might include: The World according to Garp (John Irving), ”A Message from the Pigman“ (John Wain), Oranges are not the only Fruit (Winterson), ”Enoch's Two Letters“ (Sillitoe), Billy Elliot, Rabbit Proof Fence, Lord of the Flies (Golding), Boy A, Pigeon English (Kelman), “The Flowers” (Walker) et al.

Study & Save: Anglo-American Approaches to Eco Criticism (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Maria Moss

Termin:
wöchentlich | Donnerstag | 14:15 - 15:45 | 14.10.2019 - 31.01.2020 | C 5.311 Seminarraum

Inhalt: In this seminar we will study various facets of eco critical expression. We will examine how different approaches - narrative and otherwise - reflect the way nature and environment in general as well as different environmental issues in particular (such as pollution, deforestation, and the loss of species) are dealt with in society. In order to do justice to the ethical and political dimensions of environmentalism, we will discuss current eco-critical hotspots in the Anglo-American world and beyond. And since there will be a symposium on "human-animal studies" in January 2020, special attention will be given to the aspect of "critical animal studies."

Understanding Area Studies I (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Sabrina Völz

Termin:
wöchentlich | Mittwoch | 10:15 - 11:45 | 14.10.2019 - 31.01.2020 | C 6.317 Seminarraum

Inhalt: This introduction to area studies is designed to provide students with an understanding of key terminology and readings in the field of area studies. Course participants will become familiar with and learn to analyze and apply approaches to / models for interpreting culture. Practical applications and goals for the classroom will also be discussed.

Understanding Area Studies II (Seminar)