Nordamerikastudien

• (P) Understanding North America B1

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  • 32002 Grundkurs
    Understanding North America B (Sebastian Kohl)
    Zeit: Fr 10:00-12:00, Fr 14:00-16:00, zusätzliche Termine siehe LV-Details (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    
  • 32002T Studentisches Tutorium
    Tutorium Understanding North America B
    Zeit: Mi 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 30.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

• (OM) Geschichte

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  • 32401 Proseminar
    United States History as Gender History (Sebastian Jobs)
    Zeit: Mo 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Since at least the 1980s gender has been considered a "useful category of historical research." In this class we will use this lens in order to understand major events and developments in U.S. history. By focusing on gender as a relation of power in social contexts we will explore changing images of masculinity and femininity as well as mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion. In addition to that, we will also discuss intersectional connections to other categories of identification (e.g. race and class).

  • 32400 Proseminar
    Introduction to History: Methods and Approaches (Sönke Kunkel)
    Zeit: Mo 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This introductory seminar familiarizes students with the basic theories and methods in the study of history. We will learn, among other things, how to work with historical sources and scholarly literature, how to engage with and think about the past, how to develop an argument, and how to structure a research paper. We will also analyze different approaches to doing historical research and evaluate their individual advantages and weaknesses. In the end, students will be equipped with a comprehensive toolset for their future studies in History.

• (OM) Kultur

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  • 32100 Seminar
    Theorizing Culture (Martin Lüthe)
    Zeit: Di 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The object of this seminar is to introduce students to theories of culture(s) and cultural theory. With theories of culture abounding, we will only be able to discuss a selection of canonized texts. These texts will help to enhance our understanding of how we have come to theorize culture(s) in the field of literary and cultural studies, as well as cultural history. Furthermore, we will tackle various angles of how we make meaning of and through culture and how culture informs related fields of inquiry, such as, for example, media studies, philosophy, and sociology.

• (OM) Literatur

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  • 32200 Proseminar
    Introduction to Literary Studies II (Eva-Sabine Zehelein)
    Zeit: Do 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This seminar serves as a companion course to “Introduction to Literature I.” The aim is to familiarize students further with conventions of genre, notions of canonicity, as well as with methods of literary analysis. Thus, we will engage in close readings of a variety of classic American literary texts through the centuries with a specific focus on the short form (“short story”), literary nonfiction (“New Journalism”), and graphic narratives. We will also address basics of academic research and term paper writing. Most texts will be made available on Blackboard. Please buy and read: Alison Bechdel, The Secret to Superhuman Strength (2021).

• (OM) Politik

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  • 15158 Proseminar
    US Foreign Policy: System, State, and Public (Lora Anne Viola)
    Zeit: Di 12-14 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The aim of this course is to study, in a theoretically informed way, the sources and trends of US foreign policy. By applying different levels of analysis—the system, state, and individual--it will critically examine the structures, interests and values that underlie the goals of policy and that shape policy decisions. Substantively, it will address the evolution of major US foreign policy tenets and aims, the role of the Presidency, Congress, and bureaucracy, and the influence of public opinion. The central goals of the seminar are to introduce students to central themes in US foreign policy and the main theories and approaches used for studying them. The course also aims to promote critical thinking and writing skills.

  • 32504 Praxisseminar
    B.A. Project Course Social Sciences - American Institutions, Advocacy Groups and Think Tanks in Germany (David Bosold)
    Zeit: Di 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 2 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 5)
    

    Hinweise für Studierende

    Please note that this course starts on April 30th, 2024.

    Kommentar

    In this hands-on seminar we will analyze German-American relations by looking at the network of institutions (e.g. German-American Institutes), advocacy groups (AmCham Germany) and think tanks (Aspen Institute, GMFUS) that provide information on the US, lobby on behalf of American companies or (try to) shape bilateral relations in the field of trade or foreign and security policy. We do so by visiting some of these institutions, meeting representatives and looking at their role and self-understanding in the run-up to the US presidential elections.

• (OM) Soziologie

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  • 32600 Seminar
    Power: Its ambiguities and disguises (Clara Heinrich)
    Zeit: Di 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This seminar introduces students to the theories of power discussed and applied in the social sciences. A first conceptual block starts from classical theorists such as Hobbes and Aristotle, and moves on to the traditional sociological reading of power by Weber as well as the ``faces of power'' debate that has influenced the work of social scientists on power since the 1950s. In a second block, we will discuss questions of power in different contexts, including capitalism, race, gender, social systems and the state. The last block of the course focuses on different forms of business power and methodological considerations of the empirical study of power.
    In terms of practical skills, the seminar will introduce students to the basics of literature research, structuring a coherent argument, and academic writing in the field of sociology and political economy.

    
    

• (OM) Wirtschaft

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  • 32700 Proseminar
    Statistical Reasoning (Luca Stella)
    Zeit: Fr 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 19.04.2024)
    Ort: 113 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course offers an introduction to statistical concepts and data analysis. It will prepare students to understand, interpret and use statistic tools and to organize, manage, and present data by a variety of statistical methods. Students will also learn how correlation and regression analysis can be used to discover statistical relationships between variables. The course will end with a brief introduction on causal inference. The course will use Stata, a statistical software package commonly used in economics and other social sciences. For a grade: written final examination. The final exam will cover all topics discussed in class. For active participation: Students are expected to be present and active for at least 4/5s of all classes and to perform sufficiently on all assignments over the course of the semester.

• (VM) Soziologie B – Soziale Prozesse (Sociology B – Social Processes)

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  • 32601 Vertiefungsseminar
    The political economy of austerity (Jonas von Ciriacy-Wantrup)
    Zeit: Do 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    'Balancing the budget' is perhaps one of the most popular maxims by parties of (almost) all couleur in Western capitalist democracies. In this seminar, we will unpack the idea that stands behind it: Austerity. We will trace the history of this "dangerous idea" (Blyth 2013) by looking at the ideational foundations of the theoretical claims behind it, as well as different theoretical perspectives on it. On this basis, we will look at empirical cases of how (politically and technically) austerity has been implemented, and the political, distributional, and power-related consequences of these measures. Students who want to take this course should be willing to do the weekly readings and have a basic understanding of concepts and theories in political science, sociology, and economics.

  • 32602 Vertiefungsseminar
    Tax Evasion and Tax Havens (Ria Wilken)
    Zeit: Di 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Economic and especially wealth inequality in the US is rising, along with the number of and power exerted by billionaires, multibillionaires, and multinational enterprises (MNEs). While taxes count as one key instrument to reduce inequalities, the most affluent individuals and corporations seem to make use of multiple pathways to circumvent their tax obligations and thereby harm the redistributive effect of taxation.   In this seminar, students will become familiar with general economic and sociological theories on tax evasion and avoidance, and challenge the view of tax havens as Caribbean island paradises, where the rich and famous store their money. We will discuss ways in which tax evasion works, the impact of tax havens on regional and global inequality, historical developments of tax havens, and economic approaches to measure tax evasion. Students are expected to have knowledge or the willingness to learn basic sociological as well as economic concepts and theories such as tradeoffs, opportunity costs, and expected utility theory. 

  • 32603 Vertiefungsseminar
    Introducing Text Analysis with R through Political Party Manifestos from US (Osman Demirbag)
    Zeit: Mo 16:00-18:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This research seminar guides students through the methodological frameworks for analyzing political texts as historical data, with a strong emphasis on quantitative text analysis. The course begins with an examination of the interplay between US party politics and economic policymaking from the 1840s to the present day, setting the stage for an in-depth understanding of historical sociology. Building on this historical backdrop, the seminar leads students in the systematic collection and curation of political texts, with a focus on party manifestos as pivotal sources for historical research. ----- As the course progresses, students will work with R for coding, statistical analysis, data visualization, and to implement automated text analysis techniques. Throughout the seminar, in-depth discussions will explore the successes and challenges of formal text analysis, particularly regarding interpretation and explanation in social sciences. This critical engagement will enable students to proficiently analyze the political and economic narratives within historical documents, thereby enhancing the scholarly exploration of quantifying qualitative aspects in political party research.

• (VM) Wirtschaft A – Wachstum, Verteilung und Konjunktur in Nordamerika (Economics A – Growth, Distribution and Economic Cycles in North America)

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  • 32703 Vertiefungsseminar
    Topics in the History of Money and Banking in the US (Wolfgang Strehl)
    Zeit: Do 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The seminar explores the evolution of the monetary and banking system in the United States and the ways in which the system interacted with the major economic and political forces of the time. Topics covered include, among others, money and banking in colonial times, the creation and liquidation of the First and Second Bank of the United States, the Free Banking Era, the post-Civil War dual banking system, bimetallism and the ``free silver'' movement, the major U.S. banking panics including the panic of 1907, the foundation of the Federal Reserve System, the Great Depression, and the financial crisis of 2007-08. For a grade: a paper at the end of the semester. For active participation: a presentation. Attendance at the first session is required.

• (VM) Wirtschaft B – Wirtschaftsgeschichte und Finanzmärkte (Economics B – Economic History and Financial Markets)

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  • 32702 Vertiefungsseminar
    American Economic History II (Christopher Prömel)
    Zeit: Do 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course will give students an overview of major economic concepts shaping the history of the American economy. The semester consists of weekly lectures and tutorials, in which students will learn about important topics related to the development of the American economy. Among others, topics include growth, trade, industrialization, and institutions. Furthermore, lectures will cover important events in American history, like the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the New Deal, from an economic perspective. The course will be taught in English and is open to Bachelor students in economics and North American studies. There are no formal requirements, however basic microeconomic and econometric knowledge is expected. It is recommended that students are at least in their fourth semester. Due to different examination regulations, course workload will differ. Coursework for all includes reading scientific papers, working on short assignments, and participating in class. Moreover, there will be an exam at the end of the semester. North American students will additionally have to give a presentation. A detailed schedule and the required reading will be provided via Blackboard. For North American Studies students: The course consists of two units per week which both have to be taken this semester (the whole module B will have to be completed in this summer semester). Please register for Introduction to American Economic History I, once you have been accepted you will be added to the second part of the module (Introduction to American Economic History II) by the lecturer.

  • 32701 Seminar
    American Economic History I (Christopher Prömel)
    Zeit: Mo 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course will give students an overview of major economic concepts shaping the history of the American economy. The semester consists of weekly lectures and tutorials, in which students will learn about important topics related to the development of the American economy. Among others, topics include growth, trade, industrialization, and institutions. Furthermore, lectures will cover important events in American history, like the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the New Deal, from an economic perspective. The course will be taught in English and is open to Bachelor students in economics and North American studies. There are no formal requirements, however basic microeconomic and econometric knowledge is expected. It is recommended that students are at least in their fourth semester. Due to different examination regulations, course workload will differ. Coursework for all includes reading scientific papers, working on short assignments, and participating in class. Moreover, there will be an exam at the end of the semester. North American students will additionally have to give a presentation. A detailed schedule and the required reading will be provided via Blackboard. For North American Studies students: The course consists of two units per week which both have to be taken this semester (the whole module B will have to be completed in this summer semester). Please register for Introduction to American Economic History I, once you have been accepted you will be added to the second part of the module (Introduction to American Economic History II) by the lecturer.

  • 32703 Vertiefungsseminar
    Topics in the History of Money and Banking in the US (Wolfgang Strehl)
    Zeit: Do 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The seminar explores the evolution of the monetary and banking system in the United States and the ways in which the system interacted with the major economic and political forces of the time. Topics covered include, among others, money and banking in colonial times, the creation and liquidation of the First and Second Bank of the United States, the Free Banking Era, the post-Civil War dual banking system, bimetallism and the ``free silver'' movement, the major U.S. banking panics including the panic of 1907, the foundation of the Federal Reserve System, the Great Depression, and the financial crisis of 2007-08. For a grade: a paper at the end of the semester. For active participation: a presentation. Attendance at the first session is required.

• (VM) Geschichte B - Geschichte Nordamerikas seit 1865 (History B – History of North America since 1865)

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  • 32403 Vertiefungsseminar
    U.S. Foreign Relations and Public History (Sönke Kunkel)
    Zeit: Mo 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course introduces students to the study and practice of public history by focusing on the ways in which the history of U.S. foreign relations has been represented in popular culture. Together we will explore how films, music, musicals, and exhibits have shaped popular notions of U.S. foreign relations. In addition, we will survey, explore, and analyze local Berlin memory sites that speak to the history of the U.S. presence in Cold War Berlin. Students will also develop hands-on projects that reflect on or develop models of how the history of U.S foreign relations could be presented to a broader public in various media formats.

  • 32402 Vertiefungsseminar
    Race and Music (Jessica Gienow-Hecht; Brandon Keith Brown)
    Zeit: Mo 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Topic: Classical music is the only art form that goes directly to the human spirit, states Pierre Bourdieu. More than any other genre, classical music has been stated to divide society by race and class. Orchestras base their business model typically on a visions of a white middle-class (and middle-age) audiences.. At the same time, even modern pop musical forms often presume but rarely do cross racial lines. Why is that so and where does the racial divide in music stem from? This course examines the interplay of music and race in North American history. We will examine different genres of music across time and space with a particular eye on agency and target audience, sound and word. We will look at mostly classical musicians of the African-American diaspora and North America, including their their experiences, their art and politics, and their receptions. Through an interdisciplinary approach using history, critical race theory, and cultural sociology, we will discuss and define racism, bias, inequality, and scripts of exclusion and inclusion in both pop and classical music. Moreover, we will examine to what extent and how shared empathy through sound may have the potential to influence, perhaps even change racial conscience, decreasing discrimination and exclusion in and outside stages ranging from street gigs to the concert hall. Course: The seminar seeks to fulfill two objectives: first, we will spend a significant amount of time considering some of the most recent literature dedicated to the history and present experience of music and race. Both historians and musicologists have identified peculiar factors informing the interplay of music and politics. These include specific music genres, minstrelsy, jazz clubs, the music industry, and the interplay of music and civil rights. What cocktail, we’ll ask eventually, does it take to activate music as an instrument of both power and suppression and how do race and music interplay? Second, we will try to understand the mechanism of sound in the name of identity, discrimination, political action and discuss whether there are particular lessons for the impending future. Sessions: This is a team-taught class orchestrated by conductor and activist Brandon Keith Brown and historian Jessica Gienow-Hecht. We will meet onsite once each week. Requirements: Students from history, musicology, as well as the humanities and social sciences at large are very welcome. Musical samples are welcome. All students need a blackboard account. An active knowledge of musicology or scores is not required. Each session consists of a brief introduction by the instructors followed by an all-class discussion and, sometimes, a student presentation to be discussed in advance. For each individual class, all students will compose short précis (no longer than 120 words) including a critical question relating to the respective reading. Précis need to be uploaded on Blackboard twenty-four hours prior to the beginning of class. At the end of the semester, students are required to compose a paper: either a reflective think piece responding to the course readings and discussions (3-5pp); or a research paper addressing a topic of their choice (20-25pp). Depending on the credit (Pass/Fail or Grade), the final paper is due either on July 31 at midnight (5pp, 12pt. Times Roman, 1.5 space), or August 31 at midnight (10-15pp, 12pt. Times Roman, 1.5 space).

  • 32404 Vertiefungsseminar
    Images of the Marshall Plan and US Influence in Western Europe After World War II (Marlene Ritter)
    Zeit: Mo 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The so-called “Marshall Plan” was only a four-year-programme, and yet, it looms large in public memory, especially in Western Europe. This is not a coincidence: The influence that the US government had on the reconstruction of Western Europe after World War II came not only in the form of financial investments or material aid. The European Recovery Program (ERP) has also been considered ‘the largest single propaganda operation… ever seen in peacetime’ . This BA seminar is centered around questions like: What is the image that the US wanted to project during the Marshall Plan years, and why? What did these images – of the US, of Europe, and of the other – look like and how were they perceived? The seminar will be divided into two parts. Part I provides a historical and conceptual frame: It examines the motives behind Marshall Plan aid and traces the image of the US as ‘a benevolent nation’. Further, it introduces students to historical debates and perceptions of Americanization, and contrasts different conceptualisations of influence, ranging from cultural imperialism to ‘cultural transfer’, ‘Westernization’, or ‘soft power’. Part II of the seminar will be dedicated to the actual (graphic) images that the US produced during the Marshall Plan years, especially propaganda films. Building on concepts and methods developed in the field of Visual Culture, students will learn to “read” images as primary sources and interpret them within the historical frame of the early Cold War. Using gender as an analytical lens will allow them to see the norms structuring political performance and communication in a different light.

• (VM) Kultur A – Ideengeschichte und Kulturgeschichte einzelner Medien (Culture A – History of Ideas and Cultural History of Individual Media)

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  • 32101 Seminar
    Horror and the Cinematic Unconscious (Rizvana Bradley)
    Zeit: Mi 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The philosopher and media theorist Eugene Thacker has argued that “horror is about the paradoxical thought of the unthinkable.” But how might such a conception of horror be complicated, enriched, or problematized if we were to approach the genre by way of the racial underside of the unthinkable? This course will explore cinematic and artistic exemplars of horror in order to think through the philosophical intersections of race and gender with notions of the haunted, the macabre, the Gothic, the monstrous. Please register at: culture@jfki.fu-berlin.de with your name, matriculation number, study program, home university (if applicable), zedat email address or email address of home university, and type of exchange program (if applicable). Deadline for registration is April 8, 2024. Please register on Campus Management as well and as soon as possible.

  • 32102 Vertiefungsseminar
    Geographical Imagination in the Twilight of the "American Century” (David Langstaff)
    Zeit: Mi 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    In its everyday usage, the term “geography” is typically invoked to designate an arena of specialized knowledge concerned with maps and mapping, with spatial representations of peoples and environments, of territories and landscapes. In this popular sense, the notion of “space” is essentially geometric—space is little more than an empty container for representations of the shape, size, and relative position of objects, of the distances or boundaries between them. As young schoolchildren, most of us come to understand maps as simply practical tools for navigation, or else as banal artifacts we’ve had to encounter in compulsory exercises of rote memorization and regurgitation (e.g. identify this or that country, region, or capital city on a map). The field of Critical Geography, however, unsettles any presumption of space as an empty container for the already given, instead positing space as a question, an analytic, a constellation of socioecological relations that are historically situated and politically contested. ----- This course provides a broad survey of contemporary methods, approaches, and thematic concerns within the expansive and internally differentiated field of Critical Geography, emphasizing its stakes for grappling with a “long twentieth century” (in Giovanni Arrighi’s words) profoundly shaped by the rise and fall of U.S. hegemony. How might questions of space, time, and cartography need to be rethought, not only in the twilight of the historical period Henry Luce famously dubbed “the American Century,” but in light of the so-called Anthropocene, wherein the geological force of humanity threatens to unfold across a timescale that exceeds even human existence? How might a critical geographic imagination illuminate the uneven prospects and perils of this time of uncertainty and transition? In exploring such questions, we will engage Marxist, feminist, Black, Indigenous, postcolonial, posthuman, environmentalist, affective, and abolitionist geographical traditions, drawing on thinkers such as Doreen Massey, David Harvey, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Natchee Blu Barnd, Neil Smith, Katherine McKittrick, Anna Tsing, André Mesquita, William Cronon, Dipesh Chakrabarty, and Lauren Berlant, among others.

  • 32103 Vertiefungsseminar
    Black Music and Black Liberation: Free Jazz Then and Now (David Grundy)
    Zeit: Do 16:00-18:00, zusätzliche Termine siehe LV-Details (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The music known—not unproblematically—as Free Jazz offers an opportunity to explore an extraordinarily rich of mixture of music, poetry, politics aesthetics and broader cultural questions. In this course we will explore some of those intersections, from the era of Civil Rights through to the Black Power era and into today’s world. We’ll begin with an introductory session exploring the emergence of free jazz at the turn of the 1950s/1960s. Beginning with the Ornette Coleman record that, for better or worse, gave the music its name, each week will focus on a different artist as a lens to address different aspects of the music. By the end of the 1970s, though free jazz had continued to grow, it faced the economic challenges of the rightwing Reagan era and an increasing traditionalism in the jazz world which demonized more experimental forms. Yet the music continues to survive into the 21st century. In this course we will explore how, who, when, and why this all matters.

• (VM) Kultur B – Theorien amerikanischer Kultur und Geschichte ethnischer, regionaler und geschlechtsspezifischer Kulturen (Culture B – Theories of American Culture and the History of Ethnic, Regional and Gender-specific Cultures)

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  • 32102 Vertiefungsseminar
    Geographical Imagination in the Twilight of the "American Century” (David Langstaff)
    Zeit: Mi 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    In its everyday usage, the term “geography” is typically invoked to designate an arena of specialized knowledge concerned with maps and mapping, with spatial representations of peoples and environments, of territories and landscapes. In this popular sense, the notion of “space” is essentially geometric—space is little more than an empty container for representations of the shape, size, and relative position of objects, of the distances or boundaries between them. As young schoolchildren, most of us come to understand maps as simply practical tools for navigation, or else as banal artifacts we’ve had to encounter in compulsory exercises of rote memorization and regurgitation (e.g. identify this or that country, region, or capital city on a map). The field of Critical Geography, however, unsettles any presumption of space as an empty container for the already given, instead positing space as a question, an analytic, a constellation of socioecological relations that are historically situated and politically contested. ----- This course provides a broad survey of contemporary methods, approaches, and thematic concerns within the expansive and internally differentiated field of Critical Geography, emphasizing its stakes for grappling with a “long twentieth century” (in Giovanni Arrighi’s words) profoundly shaped by the rise and fall of U.S. hegemony. How might questions of space, time, and cartography need to be rethought, not only in the twilight of the historical period Henry Luce famously dubbed “the American Century,” but in light of the so-called Anthropocene, wherein the geological force of humanity threatens to unfold across a timescale that exceeds even human existence? How might a critical geographic imagination illuminate the uneven prospects and perils of this time of uncertainty and transition? In exploring such questions, we will engage Marxist, feminist, Black, Indigenous, postcolonial, posthuman, environmentalist, affective, and abolitionist geographical traditions, drawing on thinkers such as Doreen Massey, David Harvey, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Natchee Blu Barnd, Neil Smith, Katherine McKittrick, Anna Tsing, André Mesquita, William Cronon, Dipesh Chakrabarty, and Lauren Berlant, among others.

  • 32101 Seminar
    Horror and the Cinematic Unconscious (Rizvana Bradley)
    Zeit: Mi 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The philosopher and media theorist Eugene Thacker has argued that “horror is about the paradoxical thought of the unthinkable.” But how might such a conception of horror be complicated, enriched, or problematized if we were to approach the genre by way of the racial underside of the unthinkable? This course will explore cinematic and artistic exemplars of horror in order to think through the philosophical intersections of race and gender with notions of the haunted, the macabre, the Gothic, the monstrous. Please register at: culture@jfki.fu-berlin.de with your name, matriculation number, study program, home university (if applicable), zedat email address or email address of home university, and type of exchange program (if applicable). Deadline for registration is April 8, 2024. Please register on Campus Management as well and as soon as possible.

  • 32103 Vertiefungsseminar
    Black Music and Black Liberation: Free Jazz Then and Now (David Grundy)
    Zeit: Do 16:00-18:00, zusätzliche Termine siehe LV-Details (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    The music known—not unproblematically—as Free Jazz offers an opportunity to explore an extraordinarily rich of mixture of music, poetry, politics aesthetics and broader cultural questions. In this course we will explore some of those intersections, from the era of Civil Rights through to the Black Power era and into today’s world. We’ll begin with an introductory session exploring the emergence of free jazz at the turn of the 1950s/1960s. Beginning with the Ornette Coleman record that, for better or worse, gave the music its name, each week will focus on a different artist as a lens to address different aspects of the music. By the end of the 1970s, though free jazz had continued to grow, it faced the economic challenges of the rightwing Reagan era and an increasing traditionalism in the jazz world which demonized more experimental forms. Yet the music continues to survive into the 21st century. In this course we will explore how, who, when, and why this all matters.

• (VM) Literatur A – Literarische Epochen (Literature A – Literary Epochs)

  0574aB1.5
  • 32202 Seminar
    Family Matters in American Fiction, 19th Century to the Present (Eva-Sabine Zehelein)
    Zeit: Mi 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Families have always mattered. They have always been a constitutive element of all socio-cultural and political architectures, and have been impacted by and impact the contexts in which they are lived. However, who was/is considered “family” has changed significantly over the centuries due to transforming socio-cultural, political, and economic conditions as well as medical possibilities. This course looks at shifting notions and realities of families in American literary texts with a broad historical trajectory and a specific focus on the “family novel.” Some (background) texts will be provided on Blackboard. Please buy and read: John Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath (1939), Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays (1970), Toni Morrison, A Mercy, (2008) and Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere (2017).

• (VM) Literatur B – Literarische Gattungen (Literature B – Literary Genres)

  0574aB1.6
  • 32201 Vertiefungsseminar
    The Long and Short of It: Related Prose Forms in 20th Century American Fiction (Stefan Iacob)
    Zeit: Di 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Short stories are sometimes revised into longer texts. This can happen for various reasons, ranging from aesthetic refinements to commercial considerations (for instance, the 1950s trend to rework multiple science fiction short stories published in genre magazines into “fix-ups” so as to capitalize on an expanding book market). This seminar will address a selection of American short stories from the second half of the 20th century and their subsequent adaptation, expansion, or incorporation into novel or novel-like formats. Analyzing the individual texts and the changes they undergo from one version to the next will enable us to consider issues of form, genre, narrative, and intertextuality. Since we will primarily focus on close reading, participants are encouraged to procure physical copies of (at least some of) the longer texts: The Martian Chronicles (Ray Bradbury, 1950); Go Tell It on the Mountain (James Baldwin, 1953); Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes, 1966); Tracks (Louise Erdrich, 1988); Four/Five Ways to Forgiveness (Ursula K. Le Guin, 1995/2017). All texts will also be provided as digital scans.

  • 32202 Seminar
    Family Matters in American Fiction, 19th Century to the Present (Eva-Sabine Zehelein)
    Zeit: Mi 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Families have always mattered. They have always been a constitutive element of all socio-cultural and political architectures, and have been impacted by and impact the contexts in which they are lived. However, who was/is considered “family” has changed significantly over the centuries due to transforming socio-cultural, political, and economic conditions as well as medical possibilities. This course looks at shifting notions and realities of families in American literary texts with a broad historical trajectory and a specific focus on the “family novel.” Some (background) texts will be provided on Blackboard. Please buy and read: John Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath (1939), Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays (1970), Toni Morrison, A Mercy, (2008) and Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere (2017).

• (VM) Politik A – Policies and Politics

  0574aB1.7
  • 32502 Vertiefungsseminar
    Political Systems and Media Regimes (Curd Benjamin Knüpfer)
    Zeit: Do 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This BA-level course will focus on various forms of news media and their connection to state institutions and politics. The media system of the United States will serve as the primary case study, in order to compare various eras of journalism over time. We will also learn about forms of media regimes in other nation-states and different typologies that might aid us in distinguishing between them. The final part of the class will look at the future of news and public deliberation by focusing on the various connections between digital media and politics. The main goal is to gain an understanding of how mediated information and forms of journalism are connected to material interests, regulatory frameworks, and practices of power. This is a work-intensive course! To obtain participation credit, course participants will be expected to take an active part in class via regular attendance and closely familiarizing themselves with all of the required reading material. This familiarity will be demonstrated by filling out an online questionnaire before each of our sessions. To obtain full credit, students must additionally present one core reading and complete a take-home exam in written-out essay form at the end of the semester. PLEASE NOTE: This class will take place in person. There is a limit of 35 students for this class, some of which are allocated specifically to students from the IfPuK. If you sign up but end up not taking the class, please remember to un-enroll from via the campus management system, so that others might have a chance to take your place.

  • 32503 Seminar
    Intelligence Studies and Foreign Policy (Mark Maskow)
    Zeit: Mo 18:00-20:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course examines the role of intelligence in shaping and implementing U.S. foreign policy. We will explore the history, structure, and functions of the U.S. intelligence community, as well as the challenges and controversies surrounding intelligence gathering and analysis. The course will also delve into the relationship between intelligence and policymaking, and how intelligence influences foreign policy decisions. We'll start by uncovering the foundations of the U.S. intelligence community and its role in shaping foreign policy decisions. Through a historical analysis, we'll gain insights into how intelligence has influenced diplomatic strategies over time. Moving on, we'll explore U.S. intelligence community, its different agencies, and their roles in foreign policy. After that, we will learn about the intelligence cycle and delve into real-world case studies, examining both successful and less successful instances where intelligence impacted foreign policy outcomes. Finally, we'll discuss contemporary challenges, such as cybersecurity threats and navigating a multipolar world, to understand the evolving landscape of intelligence in today's global arena. By the end of the course, you'll have a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between intelligence and foreign policy, equipping you with valuable insights for navigating this dynamic field.

• (VM) Politik B – Staat und Zivilgesellschaft ( Political B – State and Civil Society)

  0574aB1.8
  • 15157 Proseminar
    Presidential Elections in the United States (Christian Lammert)
    Zeit: Mi 10-12 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course will explore the intricate dynamics of congressional and presidential elections, with particular emphasis on their relevance to the forthcoming presidential election. Throughout the semester, students will engage in a rigorous examination of the historical, institutional, and contemporary aspects of U.S. elections. Through an analytical lens, we will dissect the evolution of electoral practices, the roles of key institutions, and the complexities of campaign strategies. Special attention will be given to the interplay between Congress and the Presidency, illuminating the profound implications of electoral outcomes on governance and policymaking. With the upcoming presidential election as a focal point, students will analyze current trends, emerging issues, and the broader socio-political context shaping electoral dynamics. Through scholarly inquiry and critical discussion, participants will develop the analytical tools necessary to navigate the complexities of contemporary U.S. politics. This course serves as an invaluable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of U.S. elections and to critically engage with the democratic processes the United States. By examining the intricacies of congressional and presidential elections, students will gain insights that are both academically enriching and pertinent to the unfolding narrative of U.S. democracy.

  • 32502 Vertiefungsseminar
    Political Systems and Media Regimes (Curd Benjamin Knüpfer)
    Zeit: Do 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 18.04.2024)
    Ort: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This BA-level course will focus on various forms of news media and their connection to state institutions and politics. The media system of the United States will serve as the primary case study, in order to compare various eras of journalism over time. We will also learn about forms of media regimes in other nation-states and different typologies that might aid us in distinguishing between them. The final part of the class will look at the future of news and public deliberation by focusing on the various connections between digital media and politics. The main goal is to gain an understanding of how mediated information and forms of journalism are connected to material interests, regulatory frameworks, and practices of power. This is a work-intensive course! To obtain participation credit, course participants will be expected to take an active part in class via regular attendance and closely familiarizing themselves with all of the required reading material. This familiarity will be demonstrated by filling out an online questionnaire before each of our sessions. To obtain full credit, students must additionally present one core reading and complete a take-home exam in written-out essay form at the end of the semester. PLEASE NOTE: This class will take place in person. There is a limit of 35 students for this class, some of which are allocated specifically to students from the IfPuK. If you sign up but end up not taking the class, please remember to un-enroll from via the campus management system, so that others might have a chance to take your place.

  • 28554a Seminar
    Media Innovations and Technological Change in Societal Contexts (Malte Meyer)
    Zeit: Mi 12-14 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: Garystr.55/105 Seminarraum (Garystr. 55)
    

    Kommentar

    The media landscape and associated industries are in a constant state of evolvement, repeatedly undergoing transformations in their manner of production and positioning within social and thus market contexts. These dynamic processes of change within the broader field of media products and services are often intertwined with and conditioned by associated innovations in the enabling and underlying technological frameworks employed to produce, distribute and consume them. Innovations in communication technology thus also entail an impact on individual, social and psychological aspects of modern life. While this impact has long been influential, pressures of digitalization and digital transformation have been making the need for a scholarly assessment of aforementioned processes ever more apparent. In this seminar we will thus explore current research and theory aiming to shed light on the intricacies of such developments, getting to know different dimensions of innovation and connecting them to practical examples of how these processes take shape within the wider media landscape. The course thus offers a rather broad perspective on what characterizes media innovation, how it develops, and what structural conditions facilitate and shape it.

  • 32501 Vertiefungsseminar
    Transnational Networks of Conservative and Right-Wing Populist Parties (Thomas Greven)
    Zeit: Di 18:00-20:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Around the globe, right-wing populist and extremist movements and parties are on the rise. In some democracies, they have marginalized or even replaced mainstream conservative parties, in others – like in the US – they have radicalized them. In light of their typically ultranationalist (“America first”) and frequently isolationist and protectionist policy positions, it is somewhat counterintuitive that these actors would form cross-border alliances. And yet, the transnational networking of radicalized conservatives, right-wing populists and even extremists has increased in recent years. Gatherings such as the US-based Conservative Political Action Conferences (CPAC) have featured more and more international participants and high-level speakers. Common themes such as the “anti-woke agenda” can be observed across many different countries. In the seminar, we will explore the extent and relevance of these transnational networks, focusing on ideological exchanges and cross-border learning of strategies and tactics, including political communication.

  • 32503 Seminar
    Intelligence Studies and Foreign Policy (Mark Maskow)
    Zeit: Mo 18:00-20:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This course examines the role of intelligence in shaping and implementing U.S. foreign policy. We will explore the history, structure, and functions of the U.S. intelligence community, as well as the challenges and controversies surrounding intelligence gathering and analysis. The course will also delve into the relationship between intelligence and policymaking, and how intelligence influences foreign policy decisions. We'll start by uncovering the foundations of the U.S. intelligence community and its role in shaping foreign policy decisions. Through a historical analysis, we'll gain insights into how intelligence has influenced diplomatic strategies over time. Moving on, we'll explore U.S. intelligence community, its different agencies, and their roles in foreign policy. After that, we will learn about the intelligence cycle and delve into real-world case studies, examining both successful and less successful instances where intelligence impacted foreign policy outcomes. Finally, we'll discuss contemporary challenges, such as cybersecurity threats and navigating a multipolar world, to understand the evolving landscape of intelligence in today's global arena. By the end of the course, you'll have a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between intelligence and foreign policy, equipping you with valuable insights for navigating this dynamic field.

• (VM) Soziologie A – Soziale Strukturen (Sociology A – Social Structures)

  0574aB1.9
  • 32602 Vertiefungsseminar
    Tax Evasion and Tax Havens (Ria Wilken)
    Zeit: Di 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    Economic and especially wealth inequality in the US is rising, along with the number of and power exerted by billionaires, multibillionaires, and multinational enterprises (MNEs). While taxes count as one key instrument to reduce inequalities, the most affluent individuals and corporations seem to make use of multiple pathways to circumvent their tax obligations and thereby harm the redistributive effect of taxation.   In this seminar, students will become familiar with general economic and sociological theories on tax evasion and avoidance, and challenge the view of tax havens as Caribbean island paradises, where the rich and famous store their money. We will discuss ways in which tax evasion works, the impact of tax havens on regional and global inequality, historical developments of tax havens, and economic approaches to measure tax evasion. Students are expected to have knowledge or the willingness to learn basic sociological as well as economic concepts and theories such as tradeoffs, opportunity costs, and expected utility theory. 

  • 32603 Vertiefungsseminar
    Introducing Text Analysis with R through Political Party Manifestos from US (Osman Demirbag)
    Zeit: Mo 16:00-18:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: 201 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Kommentar

    This research seminar guides students through the methodological frameworks for analyzing political texts as historical data, with a strong emphasis on quantitative text analysis. The course begins with an examination of the interplay between US party politics and economic policymaking from the 1840s to the present day, setting the stage for an in-depth understanding of historical sociology. Building on this historical backdrop, the seminar leads students in the systematic collection and curation of political texts, with a focus on party manifestos as pivotal sources for historical research. ----- As the course progresses, students will work with R for coding, statistical analysis, data visualization, and to implement automated text analysis techniques. Throughout the seminar, in-depth discussions will explore the successes and challenges of formal text analysis, particularly regarding interpretation and explanation in social sciences. This critical engagement will enable students to proficiently analyze the political and economic narratives within historical documents, thereby enhancing the scholarly exploration of quantifying qualitative aspects in political party research.

• (P) Oral and Writing Skills A

  0574aA4.1
  • 54010 Sprachpraktische Übung
    Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1, 1. Gr. (Kimberly Specht)
    Zeit: Mi 16:00-18:00, Fr 12:00-14:00 (Erster Termin: 17.04.2024)
    Ort: JK 30/021 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)
    

    Zusätzl. Angaben / Voraussetzungen

    Entspricht

    • dem Modul "Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1" (Bachelor Englische Philologie),
    • dem Modul "Oral and Writing Skills A" (Bachelor Nordamerikastudien / Angewandte Nordamerikastudien) und
    • der Sprachpraktischen Übung 1 des Moduls "Oral & Writing Skills I plus" (Bachelor Grundschulpädagogik)

    Kommentar

    Anmeldung vom 20.03. bis 09.04.2024, 9:00 Uhr an der ZE Sprachenzentrum > Anmeldeverfahren

  • 54011 Sprachpraktische Übung
    Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1, 2. Gr. (Kimberly Specht)
    Zeit: Di 14:00-16:00, Mi 14:00-16:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: KL 25/201 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)
    

    Zusätzl. Angaben / Voraussetzungen

    Entspricht

    • dem Modul "Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1" (Bachelor Englische Philologie),
    • dem Modul "Oral and Writing Skills A" (Bachelor Nordamerikastudien / Angewandte Nordamerikastudien) und
    • der Sprachpraktischen Übung 1 des Moduls "Oral & Writing Skills I plus" (Bachelor Grundschulpädagogik)

    Kommentar

    Anmeldung vom 20.03. bis 09.04.2024, 9:00 Uhr an der ZE Sprachenzentrum > Anmeldeverfahren

  • 54012 Sprachpraktische Übung
    Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1, 3. Gr. (Matthew Emery)
    Zeit: Mo 10:00-12:00, Mi 08:00-10:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: Mo KL 25/112 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45), Mi L 201 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)
    

    Zusätzl. Angaben / Voraussetzungen

    Entspricht

    • dem Modul "Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1" (Bachelor Englische Philologie),
    • dem Modul "Oral and Writing Skills A" (Bachelor Nordamerikastudien / Angewandte Nordamerikastudien) und
    • der Sprachpraktischen Übung 1 des Moduls "Oral & Writing Skills I plus" (Bachelor Grundschulpädagogik)

    Kommentar

    Anmeldung vom 20.03. bis 09.04.2024, 9:00 Uhr an der ZE Sprachenzentrum > Anmeldeverfahren

  • 54013 Sprachpraktische Übung
    Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1, 4. Gr. (Mark Baker)
    Zeit: Di 16:00-18:00, Do 16:00-18:00 (Erster Termin: 16.04.2024)
    Ort: KL 23/216 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)
    

    Zusätzl. Angaben / Voraussetzungen

    Entspricht

    • dem Modul "Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1" (Bachelor Englische Philologie),
    • dem Modul "Oral and Writing Skills A" (Bachelor Nordamerikastudien / Angewandte Nordamerikastudien) und
    • der Sprachpraktischen Übung 1 des Moduls "Oral & Writing Skills I plus" (Bachelor Grundschulpädagogik)

    Kommentar

    Anmeldung vom 20.03. bis 09.04.2024, 9:00 Uhr an der ZE Sprachenzentrum > Anmeldeverfahren

  • 54014 Sprachpraktische Übung Abgesagt
    Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1, 5. Gr. (Matthew Emery)
    Zeit: Mo 14:00-16:00, Mi 10:00-12:00 (Erster Termin: 15.04.2024)
    Ort: Mo KL 26/130 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45), Mi JK 30/021 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)
    

    Zusätzl. Angaben / Voraussetzungen

    Entspricht

    • dem Modul "Oral Skills and Writing Skills 1" (Bachelor Englische Philologie),
    • dem Modul "Oral and Writing Skills A" (Bachelor Nordamerikastudien / Angewandte Nordamerikastudien) und
    • der Sprachpraktischen Übung 1 des Moduls "Oral & Writing Skills I plus" (Bachelor Grundschulpädagogik)

    Kommentar

    Anmeldung vom 20.03. bis 09.04.2024, 9:00 Uhr an der ZE Sprachenzentrum > Anmeldeverfahren

• Module ohne Lehrangebot in diesem Semester

  4 Module
  • (P) Understanding North America A1 0574aA1.1
  • (OM) Multidisziplinäre Studien A 0574aA3.1
  • (OM) Multidisziplinäre Studien B 0574aA3.2
  • (VM) Geschichte A - Geschichte Nordamerikas bis 1865 (History A – History of North America before 1865) 0574aB1.1