230411 Early African American Autobiography (S) (WiSe 2014/2015)

Contents, comment

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.

Requirements for participation, required level

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.

Bibliography

All required reading material will be made available for download by seminar participants on a Stud-IP page by the beginning of the term.

Teaching staff

Dates ( Calendar view )

Frequency Weekday Time Format / Place Period  

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Subject assignments

Module Course Requirements  
23-ANG-AngPM3 Profilmodul 3: American Studies PM 3. 3 US American Literatures and Media Study requirement
Student information

The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.

Degree programme/academic programme Validity Variant Subdivision Status Semester LP  
Anglistik: British and American Studies / Bachelor (Enrollment until SoSe 2011) Kern- und Nebenfach BaAngPM5; BaAngPM6 Wahlpflicht 3. 4. 3 benotet  
Anglistik: British and American Studies / Master of Education (Enrollment until SoSe 2014) BaAngPM5; BaAngPM6 Wahlpflicht 3. 4. 3 benotet  
Anglistik: British and American Studies (GHR) / Master of Education (Enrollment until 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.

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Limitation of the number of participants:
Limited number of participants: 35
Address:
WS2014_230411@ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de
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Notes:
Additional notes on the electronic mailing lists
Last update basic details/teaching staff:
Friday, December 11, 2015 
Last update times:
Thursday, October 22, 2015 
Last update rooms:
Thursday, September 18, 2014 
Type(s) / SWS (hours per week per semester)
seminar (S) / 2
Language
This lecture is taught in english
Department
Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies
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