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“Representation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth.”
Simone de Beauvoir
This course will feature a survey of selected items from American history, such as slavery or prohibition, examine them and investigate how they have been translated to the TV screen, e.g. by looking at shows like Roots or Boardwalk Empire. Furthermore, we will look at current American politics, especially in the light of the 2016 presidential election, and how events in the recent past, like 9/11, were dealt with by Hollywood, but also the American music industry. Finally, significant aspects of American life and culture will be discussed, and their representation on TV and in music will be analyzed, the focus being on ethnicities and how they are represented in these two forms of mass media. All in all, general introductions to TV and music studies, as well as a look at key issues in American history and culture, will be offered. |
