Family Matters

Ever since the emergence of the novel, family matters have been central for character and plot development. For a long time, the affective nuclear family served as a norm, embodying middle-class values that were believed to stabilise Western society. However, reality is deviating more and more from this ideology: patchwork families, single parents or same sex parenting break with the heterosexual family model that is closely linked with patriarchal structures. Contemporary literature is taking cognizance of such new family structures; besides, it thematizes problems of dysfunctional families (such as child abandonment, child abuse or domestic violence). Generational conflicts and the tension they create within family ties have always been in the focus of literary writing about family matters - sometimes, it is only in retrospect that one realizes how deep the impact is which the family has impressed on oneself. In this course, we are going to look at a selection of contemporary novels, autobiographical texts and movies that shed light on various facets of representing different family constellations. Special attention will be given to challenges and deconstructions of the nuclear family model as well as to representations of generational conflicts, the legacies parents bestow upon the children, but also to ways of reconciling generations. Participants MUST BUY THEIR OWN COPIES of and read the following books that will be discussed in class: Penelope Lively, Family Album Linda Grant, The Clothes on their Backs Hugo Hamilton, The Speckled People Martin Rowson, Stuff Participants are asked to watch the following films that will be discussed in class: Little Miss Sunshine The Kids Are Alright When Have You Last Seen Your Father (based on the autobiography of the same title, by Blake Morrison) Seminar für Anglistik Bitte beachten Sie die Voraussetzung für den Erwerb von Leistungspunkten im betreffenden Modul Ihres Studiengangs lt Studienordnung bzw. Modulhandbuch! 2 LP and 3 LP Studienleistung: active participation in class PLUS contributions to the moodle forum, PLUS short oral presentation If the number of participants exceeds the number of presentation slots, a short written assignment (1.000-1.500 words) can be handed in as alternative to the oral presentation for those students who cannot do an oral presentation 5 LP: active participation in class PLUS contributions to the moodle forum, PLUS short oral presentation with visualization and written elaboration (2.000-3.000 words) 7 LP (old BA and Lehramt only): active participation in class PLUS six contributions on research methods to the moodle forum, PLUS oral presentation session with visualization PLUS written term paper (3.500-4.500 words) 3 LP Prüfungsleistung: written term paper (3.500-4.500 words) Universität Siegen WiSe 2012/13 Univ.-Prof. Dr. Müller Anja