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Instructors: Dr. Claudia Görg
Event type:
Practice class
Displayed in timetable as:
05.866.211
Hours per week:
2
Language of instruction:
Englisch
Min. | Max. participants:
- | 45
Registration group: AS 211
Priority scheme: Senatsrichtlinie
Requirements / organisational issues:
When the formerly British colonies on the American continent became identity, they were confronted with numerous pragmatic and ideological questions. On a socio-political level, the new nation had to reach a consensus on the political organization and the economic basis of the country. However, the creation of a new national identity requires the development of a cultural memeory that is shared by the majority of its population and helps unify the nation. In this context, national heroes, historical events, and historic sites play a crucial role.
In this course, we will discuss why and how specific historical figures (e.g. Pocahontas) and historical events (e.g. the struggle of the Puritan settlers to survive in America and its commemoration in the form of Thanksgiving) have become part of the shared cultural memory. We will analyzed these cultural memeories or myths by separating actual historical facts from the public narrative. Additionally we will look at why some of the myths and national heroes have become subjects of critical debates (e.g. Columbus/Columbus Day).
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