The seminar seeks to explore the thematic and formal breadth of black life writing in the United States during its first century, i.e. from the late colonial period tot he U.S. American Civil War (1760-1860). The best-known and politically as well as culturally most relevant genre within this category is surely the slave narrative, but in addition to this, we will further look at (excerpts from) other types of black life writing from the period in question, namely the spiritual autobiography, the Indian captivity narrative, as well as the life narratives of black entrepreneurs and other professionals.
LEARNING GOALS:
1. Content Goals:
- comprehend key terminology and concepts of the genre of autobiography and (some of) its text types through the example of Early Black American life writing
- gain or deepen knowledge of African American history, literature, and culture in Early North America through the lens of black autobiographical narratives
2. Skills Goals:
- (further) develop skills in independently obtaining and assessing information as well as understanding and evaluating complex issues
- build skills in critically reading and analyzing narrative texts as well as works of academic writing (theoretical and literary/cultural historical scholarship)
- foster skills in discussing readings in class (plenary discussions and group work) as well as present results orally or in writing
- obtain experience of doing original research: formulating research questions, locating sources, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.
No previous knowledge of the seminar topic is required. B.A. students must have completed the respective basic modules in English and/or American literature, though.
All required reading material will be made available for download by seminar participants on a Stud-IP page by the beginning of the term.
Rhythmus | Tag | Uhrzeit | Format / Ort | Zeitraum |
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Modul | Veranstaltung | Leistungen | |
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23-ANG-AngPM3 Profilmodul 3: American Studies | PM 3. 3 US American Literatures and Media | Studienleistung
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Studieninformation |
Die verbindlichen Modulbeschreibungen enthalten weitere Informationen, auch zu den "Leistungen" und ihren Anforderungen. Sind mehrere "Leistungsformen" möglich, entscheiden die jeweiligen Lehrenden darüber.
Studiengang/-angebot | Gültigkeit | Variante | Untergliederung | Status | Sem. | LP | |
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Anglistik: British and American Studies / Bachelor | (Einschreibung bis SoSe 2011) | Kern- und Nebenfach | BaAngPM5; BaAngPM6 | Wahlpflicht | 3. 4. | 3 | benotet |
Anglistik: British and American Studies / Master of Education | (Einschreibung bis SoSe 2014) | BaAngPM5; BaAngPM6 | Wahlpflicht | 3. 4. | 3 | benotet | |
Anglistik: British and American Studies (GHR) / Master of Education | (Einschreibung bis SoSe 2014) | BaAngBM5; BaAngPM6 | Wahlpflicht | 3. 4. | 3 | benotet |
1. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION:
- read assigned texts before the session in which they are to be discussed; actively participate during class sessions.
2. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION MODERATION / WRITTEN SUMMARY:
- participate in a short presentation by a small group on a textual genre in one assigned class session (of up to 3 people per group, duration of presentation approx. 15 min.);
OR
- be part of an expert group that prepares and moderates the plenary discussion in one assigned class session (up to 3 people per group, duration of discussion approx.. 30 min.);
OR
- write a 2-page summary of one of the primary or secondary texts, to be due before the day the text is discussed. A summary should sum up content, structure, employed stylistic means, and line of argumentation of the text in question.
3. ESSAY (not required for 2 CPs in the Old B.A.):
- Write an essay of ca. 2,000 words on a topic of your choice but pertaining to the subject of the seminar and containing a critical analysis of a text from the period discussed in class. Essay concepts are to be prepared during the semester. Completed essays are due on March 1, 2015.