The City in Crisis Urban Nightmares in U.S Literature and Culture

This course investigates the history of 'urban crises' in U.S. American culture from the beginnings of the nation state to the postmodern era. Looking at representations of the American city as a site of terror, devastation, and moral disintegration, we will ask to what extent this 'dark' image of the American city has come to symbolize the abysses of the 'American Dream.' Why has the city been utilized in so many literary and cultural texts as such a suitable metaphor for the shortcomings and disappointments of the promises of America? Which lessons are to be learned by readers from these texts? Is the effect simply disillusionment, or do the authors deploy aesthetic and narrative patterns that lead to a more complex understanding of urban experience in the USA? In contrast to the majority of sympathetic depictions of the city as a sign of possibility and self-realization, these gloomy portrayals rather convey the impression of America as a nightmare. We will explore themes such as corruption, epidemic disease, immigration, social decay, and poverty in literary and cultural texts about American cities. Examples will include Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle and Abraham Cahan's 'ghetto' stories. In later sections, we will deal with the American city during 1920s and 30s (The Great Gatsby and The Day of the Locust) and New York City after 9/11 (Falling Man, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and The Brooklyn Follies). In addition to literature, we will also examine a selected number of photographs, paintings, and films. Anglistik - Amerikanistik Grading: For 5 or 7 credit points: regular attendance and lively participation in class discussions (1/3), an oral presentation as part of an expert group (1/3), and a final paper (10-12 pgs. / 17-20 pgs.) (1/3). For 2 credit points: attendance and participation in class discussions (50%), oral presentation as part of an expert group (50%). Deadline for Final Papers: Friday, August 31 (Tuesday), 2010. Note: There is no (!) extension of this deadline. Universität Siegen SoSe 2010 Priv.-Doz. Dr. Brandt Stefan L Priv Doz