How far do culture and heritage influence identity? Can a definition of identity be divorced from culture and heritage? Is their authority inescapable or does the individual in fact have the freedom of choice? These three questions are at the core of Cultural Identities. By analysing and discussing how the novels listed answer these questions, the course will elucidate the complexities of cultural influence and identity formation and investigate the definitions and liminalities of culture and identity, the spaces and interfaces that both incorporate and entail. The course texts portray different aspects of Anglophone culture and identity, texts that explore the definitions of both concepts that have been altered and transformed over the past century. Finally, each course will examine what these changes indicate about culture and identity in general. Apart from the selected texts that can be found in the ‘Semesterapparat', the required texts are: Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood. London: Vintage Books, 2003. Kureishi, Hanif. The Buddha of Suburbia. London: Faber and Faber, 1990. Salinger, J.D. Catcher in the Rye. London: Penguin Books, 1994. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Ditzingen: Reclam, 1990. Students are advised to read at least two of the required texts before the semester begins. The course requirements are: regular attendance, active participation in class discussions and the completion of the work assignments (mandatory). |
