232052 “This is not an exit”: Bret Easton Ellis and Postmodernism (S) (SoSe 2011)

What is postmodernism? This question is hard to answer, but the seminar will try to find answers by examining the work of Bret Easton Ellis. Being regarded as a postmodern author, his novels are received as being disturbing and alarming. What are those disturbing and alarming elements? How do they constitute the postmodern composition of the texts? Which postmodern theories and philosophies are reflected by the texts?

In this seminar we will read Ellis' most famous novel "American Psycho", one of his other novels and some of his short stories (the short stories will be provided in the STUD.IP). We will also watch the movie "American Psycho" by Mary Harron. Therefore, one extra date will be announced, probably a Thursday evening.
Since there will be secondary literature to read too, I advise you to read "American Psycho" before the semester starts.

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen, notwendige Vorkenntnisse

For students of Literaturwissenschaft: This seminar will bei given in English, so funded knowledge of the English language is required, as well as the willingness to discuss in English.

Literaturangaben

Ellis, Bret Easton: American Psycho (1991). New York, 2006
Ellis, Bret Easton: The Informers (1994). New York, 1995