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NOTE: This course is obligatory for first-semester students in the BA Amerikanistik.
Diversity is a central feature of US American literature and culture – but how can we talk about this in an appropriate way, given that such diversity is organized through social hierarchies, and that we are ourselves part of such hierarchies as well? And what does all of this have to do with the manner in which knowledge is produced in the university, in American Studies in particular? How can we contribute to making this a more democratic space, a learning environment that is productive for people of different genders, sexual orientation, class, ethnic and racial positions? These are some of the questions we will discuss in this course.
To prepare for the course, please read either the excerpt from Julian Carter's The Heart of Whiteness or the one from Robin DiAngelo's What Does It Mean to Be White? Please highlight one sentence that you think is particularly important and be prepared to read it aloud in class. The texts are available on Moodle (password: Butler) or in the office of Sigrid Venuß, room 3011a, main building.
The course is organized as a "Blockseminar", i.e. it takes place on two full days. There are two dates you can choose from: either October 23 and 24, or November 6 and 13. We will meet from 10.15 to 17.45 on each of the days. You do not have to register for the course.
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