230342 Short Forms: The American Essay and Ways of Thinking (S) (WiSe 2026/2027)

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This seminar explores the essay genre and looks at essays from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century. We will look at various attempts to define the genre and explore the genre’s adaptability to various discourses and ways of thinking. We will cover two essays per seminar session and students will be expected to bring short written responses to each one of the essays the day of class. We will use student responses for our class discussion. Authors to be read will include Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and Jamaica Kincaid among others.

Teaching staff

Dates ( Calendar view )

Frequency Weekday Time Format / Place Period  
weekly Di 10-12   20.10.2026-05.02.2027

Subject assignments

Module Course Requirements  
23-ANG-M-GM3 Grundmodul 3: Contact Zones and Intercultural Studies Cultural/Literary Contact USA Study requirement
Student information
- Graded examination Student information
23-IAS-M-IAS4 North American Literature and the Processes of Culture Cultural and Literary Contact in the U.S.A. I Study requirement
Student information
Cultural and Literary Contact in the U.S.A. II Study requirement
Student information
- Graded examination Student information
23-IAS-M-IAS6 Advanced Studies of Literatures and Cultures of the Americas / Estudios avanzados de literaturas y culturas de las Américas NorthAmerican Literatures in Context Study requirement
Student information
- Graded examination 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.


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WS2026_230342@ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de
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Last update basic details/teaching staff:
Monday, May 11, 2026 
Last update times:
Monday, May 4, 2026 
Last update rooms:
Monday, May 4, 2026 
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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ID
724532192