From Know-It-All to Clearly Clueless: Exploring the Narrator in US-American and Canadian Fiction

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Angaben:

Übung, 2 SWS, ECTS: 4, Gaststudierendenverzeichnis, Studium Generale, Gender und Diversität

Termine:

Di, 12:00 - 14:00, U2/01.33
Class starts in the second week of term!

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

All modules including an obligatory or optional reading tutorial (Übung) for literary studies:

• BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik
• LA GS/HS/MS/RS/GY
• MA English and American Studies
• MA WiPäd
• Erweiterungsbereich English and American Studies (and equivalents in other subjects)
• Studium Generale (not BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik!)

>> OPEN for Consolidation Module literary studies! (ÜBUNG)

2. Prerequisites for obtaining credit points:

• active participation (individual tasks and group work)
• only Consolidation module: oral exam (see website for more information: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/amerikanistik/studium/consolidation-module-ma/)

3. FlexNow-Registration:

• Course (de)enrollment: September 1st – November 1st, 2021
• ECTS (de)registration: January 1st – February 1st, 2022

Guest auditors: please contact lecturer via e-mail.

Information on how to solve problems with your registration: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/anglistik/studium/informationen-zu-flexnow/

Für Studienortwechsler, Erasmusstudenten sowie Studierende, die den Leistungsnachweis zur baldigen Prüfungsanmeldung benötigen, werden im begrenzten Umfang Plätze freigehalten. Bei Überbuchung der Lehrveranstaltung fällt die Entscheidung über die Teilnahme in Rücksprache mit der Dozentin.

Inhalt:

No one likes a know-it-all – except perhaps when reading a story. Narrators often seem to know everything and share it with their eager audience – or do they? In this class will study models that describe the various options of how to tell a story, in order to understand how meaning is created and communicated.

We will discuss key texts on narrative typologies by Roland Barthes, Franz Karl Stanzel, Gérard Genetté, Mieke Bal, and Monika Fludernik, to understand the underlying models and principles those scholars observed and developed. We will also explore how narrative communication actually works in a wide variety of literary examples, most of which will be selected from the reading list of the American Studies department (https://www.uni-bamberg.de/amerikanistik/studium/leseliste/) and with reference to the "Staatsexamen" in Literary Studies.

The goal of this class is to develop a firm understanding of various models of narrative communication, while gaining a comprehensive insight into the development of North American literature and its socio-political and historical context.

Empfohlene Literatur:

While all shorter readings (essays, short stories, single chapters) will be provided via the VC (registered participants will be signed up for the VC course by the instructor in the first week of the semester!), the following novels will have to be purchased by each student in advance:

• Toni Morrison, A Mercy (2008)
• James Hannaham, Delicious Foods (2018)

Make sure to read the novels before the first session of this class!

In addition, the following textbook is strongly recommended as companion reading to this class: Monika Fludernik, An Introduction to Narratology (2009).

How to Write a Term Paper (inkl. Betreuungsübung BA Amerikanistik)

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Angaben:

Übung, 2 SWS, ECTS: 4

Termine:

Mo, 14:00 - 16:00, U5/01.22
Class starts in the second week of term!

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

How to Write a Term Paper in literary or cultural studies

• B.A. Anglistik/Amerikanistik (Übung 2 ECTS im Basismodul oder Aufbaumodul)
• Lehramtsstudiengänge Englisch: (Übung 2 ECTS im Basismodul oder Aufbaumodul)
• Studium Generale (not BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik!)

Thesis supervision in literary or cultural studies

• B.A. Anglistik/Amerikanistik (nur HF mit B.A.-Arbeit) (Betreuungsübung 2 ECTS)
• B.A. Medieval Studies: (Intensivierungsmodul 2 ECTS, wenn die B.A.-Arbeit in Kulturwissenschaft geschrieben wird)

Please contact the instructor beforehand to discuss your general idea and the possibility of thesis supervision!

2. Prerequisites for obtaining credit points:

• completion of advanced module (Aufbaumodul)
• active participation (individual tasks and group work)
• Only Studium Generale, exchange students, and B.A. candidates: final presentation in English

3. FlexNow-Registration:

• Course (de)enrollment: September 1st – November 1st, 2021
• ECTS (de)registration: January 1st – February 1st, 2022

Guest auditors: please contact lecturer via e-mail.

Information on how to solve problems with your registration: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/anglistik/studium/informationen-zu-flexnow/

Für Studienortwechsler, Erasmusstudenten sowie Studierende, die den Leistungsnachweis zur baldigen Prüfungsanmeldung benötigen, werden im begrenzten Umfang Plätze freigehalten. Bei Überbuchung der Lehrveranstaltung fällt die Entscheidung über die Teilnahme in Rücksprache mit der Dozentin.

Inhalt:

This course aims to assist students in writing their FIRST term paper in literary or cultural studies in Bamberg. We will discuss general formal aspects and content related criteria of an academic paper, such as possible topics, structure, suitable theoretical approaches. Primarily, however, we will practice how to choose a topic, how to develop a coherent structure, how to involve theoretical frameworks, and how to adhere to the MLA citation rules. Finally, we will discuss the different types of source material that are suitable for the list of references of your paper. Students have the chance to present a provisional outline in a closed discussion forum, where they will receive feedback from fellow students and the instructor.

This course is also addressed at students who are writing their BA-thesis with Dr. Konopka (American Studies). Therefore, this course provides the guidance sessions for the BA thesis (Betreuungsübung) for students in the BA programs who write their thesis in literary or cultural studies. It assists students in the preparation of their final paper, and gives them an opportunity to discuss their work with other students. BA-candidates will present parts of their final paper, offering it for discussion and feedback. If you are planning to attend this class, make sure that the instructor will also be your thesis advisor. Please contact Dr. Konopka well in advance to discuss your topic and the requirements for the supervision.

Please note that this is a practical training course and not a lecture! Everyone is expected to participate in the tasks and discussions.

Empfohlene Literatur:

All readings will be provided via the VC!

In the Spotlight: A Survey of US-American Literary History (e-learning course)

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Angaben:

Proseminar, ECTS: 6, Dies ist ein reines Online-Seminar. Anmeldung erfolgt über die VHB!

Termine:

Der Kurs findet ausschließlich virtuell statt. Er steht über die virtuelle Hochschule Bayern Studierenden aller bayerischen Universitäten bzw. Hochschulen zur Verfügung.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

All modules including an advanced level seminar (Proseminar) for literary studies:

• BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik (Seminar 6 ECTS)
• Lehramt GS/HS/MS/RS/GY (Seminar 6 ECTS)

>> NOT open for ‘Ergänzungsmodul’ literary studies!

2. Prerequisites for obtaining credit points:

• completion of the basic module literary studies (Basismodul Literaturwissenschaft)
• active participation (individual tasks and group work)
• term paper in English (following the Style Sheet)

3. Registration:

• via Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern!
• Course (de)enrollment: October 1st – October 29, 2021 (via vhb website!)
• Exam (de)registration: January 11 – February 11, 2022 (via email to the instructor!)

Die Lehrveranstaltung ist dauerhaft als Online-Kurs konzipiert. Sie steht über die virtuelle Hochschule Bayern [https://www.vhb.org/startseite] Studierenden aller bayerischen Universitäten bzw. Hochschulen zur Verfügung.

Zur Kursdemo auf dem Virtuellen Campus: https://vc.uni-bamberg.de/course/view.php?id=27003

Inhalt:

This seminar is an internet-based survey course that offers students in the “Aufbaumodul Literaturwissenschaft” an overview of the main developments in US-American literary history. The class will help students to understand the links between literary periods, their central ideas, and important stylistic features. The course provides participants with detailed information about the complexities that underlie and connect each literary work and period. The course’s other main goal is to familiarize students with key texts and key discourses of US-American literature, such as race, class, and gender. The texts were chosen because they either represent crucial aspects of their respective literary periods, or because they address topics and concepts that were controversial at this particular point in history.

Despite being an E-Learning course, this is a discussion-based class, so active participation is crucial. Participants are required to contribute to class discussions by posting at least two quality responses per forum. Your learning process will be enabled through your active involvement in the different assignments, which are designed to allow you as much creative freedom as possible while assisting you in your reading and understanding of the poems, short stories, novels, and plays.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Most readings will be made available via the Learning Management System (VC/Moodle).
Two texts, however, need to be acquired by each participant individually:

• Kate Chopin, The Awakening (1899)
• Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death (1969)

Introduction to British and American Cultural Studies (Course 4)

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Angaben:

Proseminar, 3 SWS, ECTS: 6, Gaststudierendenverzeichnis, Studium Generale, Gender und Diversität

Termine:

Do, 10:00 - 12:15, Raum n.V.
Einzeltermin am 8.11.2021, 20:00 - 22:00, Raum n.V.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

All degrees requiring an introductory seminar for their basic module in cultural studies (Basismodul Kulturwissenschaft):

• BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik (seminar 6 ECTS)
• BA Berufliche Bildung (seminar 6 ECTS)
• BA Interdisziplinäre Mittelalterstudien/Medieval Studies (seminar 2 ECTS)
• BSc. BWL (seminar 6 ECTS)
• Lehramt GS/HS/MS/RS/GY (seminar 5 or 6 ECTS)
• MA WiPäd (seminar 6 ECTS)

Please note that there are five Introduction courses in Cultural Studies (1-5). Although they vary in content and approach, these are 'Parallelkurse': i.e. they are all part of the 'Basismodul in Kulturwissenschaft'. You are free to sign up for any one of them, and none of the courses will limit your choice of seminars in future semesters.

2. Prerequisites for obtaining credit points:

• 6 ECTS: active participation in the seminar, final written exam
• 8 ECTS (module exam): active participation in the seminar, final written exam

3. FlexNow-Registration:

• Course (de)enrollment: September 1st November 1st, 2021
• ECTS (de)registration: January 1st February 1st, 2022

Guest auditors: please contact lecturer via e-mail.

Information on how to solve problems with your registration: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/anglistik/studium/informationen-zu-flexnow/

Für Studienortwechsler, Erasmusstudenten sowie Studierende, die den Leistungsnachweis zur baldigen Prüfungsanmeldung benötigen, werden im begrenzten Umfang Plätze freigehalten. Bei Überbuchung der Lehrveranstaltung fällt die Entscheidung über die Teilnahme in Rücksprache mit der Dozentin.

Inhalt:

This course offers an introduction to key themes and methods in American cultural studies as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry. Thematically, we will explore issues such as religion and immigration, the frontier and regionalism, class and economic success, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, America as nature s nation; conceptually, the focus will be on equality and difference as utopian ideas that have shaped American culture from colonial times to the present.

The course is designed to provide you with basic skills in American cultural studies, with a strong emphasis on reading and discussing various texts in their cultural contexts. Our primary readings will include short stories, poems, and excerpts from novels as well as historical documents, essays, political speeches, photographs, popular songs, and films, while several theoretical essays will provide us with a language for discussing changing concepts of culture.

Empfohlene Literatur:

All readings will be provided via the VC!

Introduction to English and American Literary Studies (Course B)

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Angaben:

Proseminar, 2 SWS, ECTS: 6, Gaststudierendenverzeichnis, Studium Generale, Gender und Diversität

Termine:

Do, 14:00 - 16:00, Raum n.V.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

All degrees requiring an introductory seminar for their basic module in literary studies (Basismodul Literaturwissenschaft):

• BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik (seminar 6 or 8 ECTS)
• BA Berufliche Bildung (seminar 6 ECTS)
• BA Interdisziplinäre Mittelalterstudien/Medieval Studies (seminar 2 ECTS)
• BSc. BWL (seminar 6 ECTS)
• Lehramt GS/HS/MS/RS/GY (seminar 6 or 8 ECTS)
• MA WiPäd (seminar 6 ECTS)

2. Prerequisites for obtaining credit points:

• 6 ECTS: active participation in the seminar, course tutorial, library tutorial, final written exam
• 8 ECTS (module exam): active participation in the seminar, course tutorial, library tutorial, final written exam (see additional information below!)

The following applies ONLY to students whose Basismodul Literaturwissenschaft contains BOTH the Introduction to Literary Studies and a lecture (see module handbook):

As of now, the final written exam of this Introduction to Literary Studies is also the module exam for the Basismodul Literaturwissenschaft. The exam will contain questions about both the content of the Introduction and the lecture (free choice: English or American Literature lecture). Students, therefore, are advised to take the introductory class either after attending the lecture OR in the same semester.

3. FlexNow-Registration:

• Course (de)enrollment: October 12 – November 1st, 2021
• ECTS (de)registration: January 1st – February 1st, 2022

Guest auditors: please contact lecturer via e-mail.

Information on how to solve problems with your registration: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/anglistik/studium/informationen-zu-flexnow/
WICHTIG: Es stehen diverse Parallelkurse zur Verfügung. Den Termin A finden Sie in Flexnow bei der Englischen Literaturwissenschaft, den Termin B bei der Amerikanistik. Bitte entscheiden Sie sich frühzeitig für EINEN Termin!

Für Studienortwechsler, Erasmusstudenten sowie Studierende, die den Leistungsnachweis zur baldigen Prüfungsanmeldung benötigen, werden im begrenzten Umfang Plätze freigehalten. Bei Überbuchung des Seminars fällt die Entscheidung über die Teilnahme in Rücksprache mit der Dozentin.

Inhalt:

This course provides a concise introduction to major themes and methods in the study of English and American literature with a focus on American literature.

We will discuss key features of the main literary genres poetry, prose fiction, and drama, explore selected approaches in literary theory and criticism as a basis for analyzing and interpreting literary texts, and survey the main periods and developments of American literary history. The focus, however, will be on the discussion of textual examples from these various vantage points. The goal of this course is to enable you to articulate up-to-date readings of texts from different genres, in their cultural contexts, informed by key theories and analytical methods.

Please note that all Introductions to English and American Literary Studies prepare students for the analysis and interpretation of both English and American literature. The only difference is that the Introduction taught by members of the English Literature section uses literary examples from a primarily British context, and the one taught by members of the American Studies section uses primarily American examples. Choosing one or the other Introduction does not mean that you "specialize" in English or American literature, and you don't have to take your later courses in the same area.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Required Reading:

Michael Meyer. English and American Literature. 4th ed. UTB Basic. Tübingen: Francke, 2010. (or a newer edition; Ebook welcome!)

All other readings will be provided via the VC!