Universität Wien
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123423 SE Literary & Cultural Studies Seminar / BA Paper / MA American / North American Lit. Studies (2022S)

Religion in the American South: Literature, Media, Culture

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 16 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

As the participants are expected to attend sessions of the international interdisciplinary conference on "Religion in the Secular Age", which will take place in Vienna at the Academy of Sciences in March (24-26), there will be fewer regular meetings of the seminar. The details of the timetable will be announced before the end of February.

  • Wednesday 09.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 16.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 23.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 30.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 06.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 27.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 04.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 11.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 18.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 25.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 01.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 08.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 15.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 22.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Wednesday 29.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

European observers of American culture are struck by the importance of religion in American society despite the separation between state and church since the foundation of the Republic. The major role of religion is manifest in the presence of numerous churches and chapels in urban settings of the many Christian denominations and their prominence in the media, including the influence of the televangelists. This is particularly visible in the American heartland including the South and its reputation as being part of the Bible Belt.
The seminar is intended to examine this complex fact, using a historical perspective in considering the recurring revivals of religious feeling and engagement. It will include a study of the manifestations of religion in the culture of the African Americans from the time of slavery onwards in gospel music and spirituals, and in the role of sermons in the congregations. It will also analyze literary texts reflecting both harsh / satirical expressions of critical distance to religious practice and a full involvement in the rituals of religion providing consolation and orientation in the troubles of human life.
Among the texts to be studied – and included in a reader – will be some gospel texts and spirituals, and segments / sections of major narratives mirroring the impact of sermons on individuals and especially African American congregations. In addition the seminar will be study stories by prominent Southern fiction writers. The participants in the seminar will also benefit from an interdisciplinary conference on "Religion in the Secular Age", which will convene in Vienna (24-26 March) when international experts will discuss related phenomena with a focus on the situation in North America.

Assessment and permitted materials

Participants will submit a written seminar paper or bachelor paper, and offer an oral presentation on texts included in the reader. Regular attendance and active class participation are expected. They will also be asked to submit two written reports - one on a seminar session, the other on three lectures at the international conference related to the theme of the seminar.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

See below.
Each of the four items above needs to be fulfilled. Overall pass rate is 60%.
Grading scale:
100%-90% Sehr Gut
91%-80% Gut
81%-70% Befriedigend
71%-60% Genügend
59%-0% Nicht Genügend

Examination topics

The phenomena reflected in the texts considered in class, and relevant material presented at the international conference.
Student presentation and written seminar paper, 50 %
Oral contributions in class and two written reports 25%
Final essay test 25%

Reading list

A reader containing some spirituals and gospel texts as well as segments from fictional texts reflecting both satirical and affirmative attitudes towards the manifestations and rituals of organized religion and some short stories will be available before the beginning of the summer semester. There will also be a reserve shelf in the departmental library containing texts and relevant studies of the complex phenomenon of religion in the American South, and of individual authors included in the program.
The Reader is already available at Copyshop at the corner of Schwarzspanierstraße.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612, MA 844; MA 844(2)
Code/Modul: BA09.2, 10.2, MA5, MA6, MA7; MA 4.1, 4.2
Lehrinhalt: 12-0406

Last modified: Tu 15.03.2022 15:48