230596 Representing the American South (S) (SoSe 2010)

In this seminar we will use an interdisciplinary approach to study the cultural, historical, regional, and racial dynamics of the American South. We will focus on literary constructions of Southern history and identity in selected works by authors such as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Flannery O’ Connor, Katherine Anne Porter. We will explore the racial dynamics of Southern society by looking at classical cinematographic productions such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Intruder in the Dust. Finally we will take a look at blues and jazz as propelling forces behind processes of “blackening” U.S. American culture. Course requirements are regular class participation, moderation of one class session, and a short paper based upon the topic of the class moderation.