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The Micks and the Krauts – Imagining 'Irishness' and 'Germanness' in American Culture
According to questions relating to ethnic and cultural heritage from the US census of 2010, the majority of Americans are of German origin. The second largest ethnic grouping is Irish (including Scoth-Irish; people of Northern Irish Protestant descent). Seeing ethnic identity as something that is symbolic and consciously chosen, this seminar looks at ‘Germanness’ and ‘Irishness’ in US culture. We will investigate areas such as academic and popular narratives of emigration, public performances of ethnicity (such as St. Patrick’s Day, New York von Steuben Day and German-American Day), narratives of Irish-American and German-American ‘homecoming’, ethnic influence upon political events at ‘home’, and ‘Irishness’ and ‘Germanness’ in US advertising. In order to pass the seminar and to achieve the 'Zulassung' for the Hausarbeit, students will take over a session in groups. |
