A critical attitude towards the U.S. remains widespread among intellectuals and especially the young who have not experienced the strong engagement of the U.S. in Germany during the Cold War years. At the same time, there is a great fascination with everything “American.” Though Europe and the U.S. share common democratic values and engage in close exchange on every level, cultural misunderstandings occur. Modern Public Diplomacy strategies are trying to take this into account.
In a workshop-type setting, we will reflect upon the image of the U.S. in the past and today through reading, intensive writing and discussions with practitioners (diplomats, journalists, writers and cultural negotiators). How do we explain cultural commonalities and differences to each other and what media do we employ? What are contested issues that need to be explored? Who is engaged in the transnational and intercultural exchange of ideas and to what purpose?
Students will identify their own topic within the context of international communication, deliver a short presentation and write a blog entry.
Please note that due to the instructor’s professional engagement outside of the University and planned site visits that require more than 90 minutes (e.g. Alliierten-Museum; American Academy, U.S. Embassy), the schedule needs to be somewhat flexible.
Course Requirements
Students are required to
- attend class regularly and punctually;
- contribute to class discussions actively;
- give a 15-minute presentation
- develop a blog draft from their presentation
- engage in intensive peer critique of the blog drafts
Successful blog drafts will be submitted to the American Studies Blog (http://blog.asjournal.org) for review and possible publication.
You are encouraged to think creatively in this class! |
