Lehrende/r: Univ. Prof. Dr. Winfried Herget
Veranstaltungsart: Vorlesung
Anzeige im Stundenplan: Lec.AmericanStudies2
Semesterwochenstunden: 2
Unterrichtssprache: Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl: - | -
Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches: DIES IST DIE VORLESUNG UND NICHT DER CULTURAL STUDIES-KURS: SIE KÖNNEN NUR DIE VORLESUNG ODER DEN CULTURAL STUDIES-KURS BESUCHEN! Melden Sie sich in keinem Fall für beides an!
Inhalt: “Morals and Manners” will discuss the tension between the two concepts as perceived by Americans. We will discuss how, in the early republic, Americans argued that they were naturally moral, whereas Europeans used manners to deceive and manipulate others. In the early 19th century European observers, however, mocked Americans as lacking manners. Increasingly Americans felt a need for some norms of social behavior. We will look at etiquette books which told the middle class how to behave properly in society. Advice columns in newspapers provided practical answers to questions raised by their readers. In both cases we will trace the development and the way they responded to social change, especially as it concerned gender relations. Furthermore we will discuss in what ways morals were publicly regulated. Particular attention will be paid to the Boston “Watch and Ward Society”, to the “Hollywood Code” (prescribing what could be shown in the movies), TV-ratings and censorship. “Political Correctness” will also be considered in the context of morals and manners. Finally the concept of “civility” as a concept to overcome the supposed tension will be introduced.
Empfohlene Literatur: Please note that the 2 hour course consists of the lecture (45min) followed by a discussion section which will take a closer look at selected texts and issues raised during the lecture.
