Zusätzlicher Kurs, BA Englisch, Modul 3

Instructor: Karolina Golimowska
Time: Tuesdays, 12-14
Place: Dorotheenstr. 24, Haus I, Room 501

Course Description

„In the shadow of no towers” – Reactions to 9/11 in British and American Literature and Film

 

In this seminar we will discuss and analyze several examples of reactions and repercussions to September 11^th in British and American literature, essay and film. Susan Sontag referred to the attacks on World Trade Centre as to ones not only against humanity and the western world but also to ones against the world’s self-proclaimed super-power “undertaken as a consequence of specific American alliances and actions”. Michael Moore in “Fahrenheit 9/11” accused and laughed out the Bush administration but partly also the Americans and their “naïve” belief in American Dream. Art Spiegelman made a parallel to the Holocaust whilst others concentrated on how world history can influence lives and perception[s] of reality. The wide perspective that this seminar is supposed to present will enable us to discuss potential changes and approaches in the cultural discourse after 9/11 but it will also give us a chance to think about the social and political condition of America before the attacks [e.g. we will be watching „Independence Day“]. We will also raise the question of with what means and to what extend has 9/11 influenced art and how has it been transferred to the aesthetics of literature and film.

 

Suggested reading: Art Spiegelman, “In the shadow of no towers”; John Updike “Terrorist”; Jonathan Safran Foer “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”, Ian McEwan “Saturday”, Don Delillo "Falling Man"

Films: “Fahrenheit 9/11”, “Independence Day”

We will be discussing excerpts from Jean Baudrillard’s “The Spirit of Terrorism“ and essays by Susan Sontag.